Periodontal Disease

Periodontal disease is the leading cause of tooth loss. Also known as gum disease, it comes from plaque and calculus build-up. When left untreated, they start to affect supporting bone and gum tissue. The first stages, collectively known as “gingivitis”, can include sensitive, inflamed gums. Mild bleeding may also occur. Left untreated, gingivitis can develop into periodontitis. Periodontitis can some from different sources and expressed in different forms. Aggressive, chronic, necrotizing, and systemic disease are the most common. These can cause the gums to recede and/or infected pockets to appear within the gum line. The gums become more inflamed, pus will appear, and the neighboring bone may be affected. When these symptoms worsen, advanced periodontitis can destroy the supporting structure of the teeth and tooth loss becomes a risk. To prevent this, our dental providers perform periodontal exams and treatments in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Periodontal Exam and Treatment

At your periodontal exam, our dentists will use a periodontal probe to examine the periodontal pockets (also known as the sulcus) and check for signs of inflammation, deepened pockets, bleeding, loosened teeth, or other signs of disease. Periodontal pockets deeper than three millimeters are a common symptom of gum disease. After this examination, our dentists will determine your strain and stage of periodontal disease and your appropriate treatment. Advanced Family Smiles may recommend that patients a series of at-home habits to counteract symptoms. If the disease has progressed far enough, a scaling and root planning may be recommended. This periodontal procedure cleans and smooths the tissue above and below the gum line, so the gums can heal.

The earliest signs of the disease are often painless, and many patients go undiagnosed. If you suspect that you suffer from periodontal disease, or would like to discuss options for periodontal treatment, contact Advanced Family Smiles at 215-637-7474.