Do you need periodontal or gum treatment? Dr. Han will recommend the appropriate gum treatment after evaluating your gums, teeth and bite.
Periodontal disease progresses as the space (pocket or sulcus) between the tooth and gums gets filled with bacteria, plaque, and tartar, causing irritation to the surrounding tissues. Those irritants – bacteria and the buildup of plaque and tartar – can and will cause irreversible damage to the gums and subsequently the bone that supports the teeth if left untreated!
The goal is to detect and to treat gingivitis in the early stages. Dr. Han’s well-trained hygienists can gently remove the irritants with special instruments called scalers. With proper brushing and flossing, regular check-ups and scaling, and a healthy diet, we can eliminate gingivitis and maintain healthy gums for life.
Untreated gingivitis can progress into the early to moderate stages of gum disease (mild to moderate periodontitis) where the patient cannot adequately remove plaque in the pockets of his teeth. The treatment for this is more involved; the hygienist will perform deep cleaning (scaling and root planning) under local anesthesia. The hygienist will remove the plaque and tartar both above and mostly below the gum line, and smoothen the rough spots on root surfaces. This procedure helps gum tissue to heal and pockets to shrink.
If the pockets do not heal after scaling and root planning, periodontal surgery may be needed to reduce pocket depths, making teeth easier to clean. Dr. Han will refer you to a Periodontist (a specialist of the gums and supporting bone).
Cosmetic gum contouring can drastically improve your smile as well, by reshaping the gum tissue around your front teeth. Excessive gums can make your front teeth look short and stubby, hindering your smile. Cosmetic gum contouring is a safe procedure that reveals your beautiful smile and can be even more enhanced when combined with teeth whitening and the cosmetic contouring of teeth.
Cosmetic gum contouring can enhance the following conditions:
