Gum disease will affect about half of all adults in the United States at some point in their lives. What starts as bacterial growth in the mouth can, when left untreated, advance to the point of tooth loss. We evaluate your mouth for signs of gum disease at every checkup. That way, we can detect it early enough that gum disease treatment from our Naperville, IL periodontist is still simple, and your smile has not suffered any permanent damage.
Why Choose Grand Dental - Naperville for Gum Disease Treatment?
- Board-Certified Periodontist on Staff
- Soft Tissue Laser Eliminates the Need for Sutures
- Gum Evaluations Performed at Every Checkup
How can I avoid periodontal disease?
Our team at Grand Dental – Naperville believes the best way to approach gum disease is to prevent it through safe and effective tips including the following:
- Performing daily oral hygiene through brushing twice, flossing at least once, and using an ADA-approved mouthwash on a regular basis.
- Overcoming bad habits in your lifestyle like chewing ice, smoking, and biting your fingernails.
- Swapping out foods with a lot of sugar and starch for healthier options. Better alternatives include leafy greens, lean proteins, fibrous vegetables and fruit, and low-fat dairy.
- Continuing to go to dental checkups and cleanings at least every six months for early detection and treatment of plaque and tartar buildup.
Will it hurt to undergo periodontal therapy?
No, periodontal therapy will not hurt. After our periodontist in Naperville examines your soft oral tissues and determines the severity of the disease, he can then put together a treatment plan customized to your case using various types of procedures, including scaling and root planing, soft tissue laser therapy, and others.
Before we begin treatment, we will take advantage of local anesthesia to numb your gum tissue, which will ensure that you feel pain-free and comfortable.
After the anesthetic has worn off, you may have a little bit of soreness. However, pain medication you find at the store should be able to manage this discomfort.
What happens if my teeth cannot be saved?
During the early stages of gingivitis, the damage done to gums is easily reversible. However, when it has progressed to advanced periodontitis, the infection attacks the jawbone, and the damage may be too severe, which means we may not be able to save the natural teeth.
If the infection has reached this point in your smile and periodontal therapy is not a realistic option, we will need to extract certain teeth and talk about filling in the vacated sockets—after complete healing has taken place. Your lost teeth may be replaced by dental implants, dentures, or a dental bridge, depending on your needs.
Will my dental insurance cover gum disease therapy?
Fortunately, many dental insurance companies include benefits for periodontal therapy. We encourage you, however, to look through your plan and understand about how much treatment will cost out-of-pocket. These treatments may be labeled as either “minor” or “major,” which determines what amount they will agree to pay. It’s usually between 50 and 80 percent of the total cost.
The cost also depends on whether you’ve met your deductible. You should also consider the annual maximum you have left. At Grand Dental – Naperville, we can help you understand your benefits and work with you to make whatever treatment you need more affordable.