Getting the Most Out of Your Periodontal Treatments

If you’re just coming to terms with having periodontal disease, you wouldn’t be human if you did not wonder how things could be worse.

Pain and discomfort can skew anyone’s perspective, but the reality is, things could be worse. Instead of imagining the dark possibilities, make an optimistic commitment to your recovery by:

Placing your treatment in the hands of one of Florida’s most accomplished periodontal specialists
Knowing that the specialist favors a conservative approach to periodontal treatments
Ensuring that the specialist is skilled in a variety of non-surgical and treatment options

Dr. Sevor is a Renowned Periodontal Specialist

Now the prospect of beating gum disease doesn’t sound like such an uphill battle—and Dr. Jeffrey Sevor, of Central Florida Periodontics & Implantology, will see to it.

Thousands of patients know him as the first periodontal specialist to bring the FDA-approved, patented laser periodontal therapy protocol to central Florida. In addition to being a premier periodontal specialist, though, he is also a superb teacher, educating patients about myriad periodontal treatment options based on the progression of their gum disease.

Dr. Sevor Favors Less Invasive Periodontal Treatments

Dr. Sevor will always consider non-surgical options for periodontal treatments first. These include:

Antibiotics. Since gum disease is caused by bacteria and is essentially an infection, a topical or oral antibiotic might be an option to control it. Topical antibiotics include mouth rinses and gels that are inserted in the space between teeth and gums after a deep cleaning.
Root planing. This deep-cleaning method goes right to the heart of the root, removing bacteria and smoothing the rough spots where germs gather.
Scaling. This deep-cleaning method involves scraping bacteria and tartar from teeth, as well as above and below the gum line.
Laser periodontal therapy. As Dr. Sevor’s specialty, this treatment method involves using a laser light to remove bacteria and diseased tissue. An ultrasonic scaler and special hand instruments are used to remove surface tartar before a laser seals the pocket so that new germs cannot enter it. The word “laser” can sometimes trigger fears in people who are coming to terms with periodontal disease, but these fears often prove to be unfounded. Compared with other deep-cleaning methods, laser therapy is associated with less pain, bleeding, swelling, tissue removal, and recovery time.

Surgical Periodontal Treatments Are Sometimes Necessary

Three of the more common surgical options for advanced cases of periodontal disease include:

Gum (or soft tissue) grafting. This technique involves attaching healthy tissue—often taken from the roof of the patient’s mouth—to the damaged tissue, thereby reinforcing it and helping to reduce future gum recession.
Bone grafting. This technique is necessary when the bone surrounding the root of a tooth has been compromised by gum disease, an extraction, or an injury. The graft serves two purposes: it helps prevent tooth loss by holding the tooth in place and serves as an “anchor” for the regrowth of the natural bone. The graft itself either consists of small fragments of the patient’s bone—taken from another region of the body—or it may be synthetic or donated.
Guided tissue bone regeneration. As the name implies, this technique encourages the growth of new bone or tissue that was destroyed by bacteria. A dissolvable substance or bioactive gel may be used to block unwanted tissue, allowing healthy bone to grow back.

As you come to terms with periodontal disease—and your periodontal treatment options—rest assured that Dr. Sevor will take the time to evaluate you thoroughly, answer your questions, and help you reach the right decision for you. More than central Florida’s premier dentist, he will become your best advocate—and show you how things will get better now that you’re in his care. Contact us to learn more.