Periodontal and Gum Disease

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Periodontics & Gum Recession

What is Periodontal or Gum Disease ?

Gum disease begins when a clear and sticky substance known as plaque forms between your gums and teeth. If plaque is not removed daily by brushing and flossing, it hardens into tartar (also called calculus). Tartar cannot be removed by brushing and flossing, and it can lead to an infection at the point where the gums attach to the teeth (called the “point of attachment”). Gum disease in these early stages is called gingivitis. Gums may be red and bleed when you brush, but you may not notice anything. As the gingivitis worsens, tiny pockets of infection form, and even though you cannot see them, you may notice puffy gums, sore gums, traces of blood on your toothbrush, or a change in the color of your gums. Over time, the infection breaks down the gum tissue that attaches to the teeth. At this point, you will notice swelling, bleeding, or color changes in your gums. Gum disease also causes the bone that holds your teeth in place to break down. If gum disease is not treated, teeth become loose and are in danger of falling out.

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How do you prevent Gum Disease?

The best way to avoid gum disease is to protect your oral health, brush your teeth at least twice a day, floss at least once a day, and see your dentist regularly for oral examinations. Gum disease is one of the main reasons why adults lose their teeth. But the good news is gum disease can almost always be prevented. If it starts, it can be treated and turned around (or reversed) in its early stages.

How do you Treat Gum Disease?

Gum disease is hard to detect in its early stages, so it’s essential that you maintain a schedule of regular dental exams so we can detect any abnormalities in the health of your gums. We use a periodontal probe tool to measure where gums attach to your teeth. Healthy gums attach to teeth just below the edge of the gum. If your gums attach to your teeth below this point, it is a sign of gum disease. X-rays show how much bone is around your teeth. If you have gum disease, getting rid of plaque and tartar gives your gums a chance to get better, and the best treatment is a cleaning by one of our dentists or dental hygienists to remove built-up tartar, brushing twice a day to remove plaque and flossing once a day to remove plaque.

When gum disease is more serious, Phi Dental may refer you to a dental specialist called a periodontist who specializes in restoring (or regenerating) bone and gum tissue that has been lost because of gum disease. With laser certified hygienists, we also offer laser therapy to treat gum disease which can support desensitization as well.

What can I do at home to detect signs of Gum Disease?

Check your gums on a regular basis for these signs of gum disease:

- A change in the colour of your gums
- Gums that are red around your teeth
- Gums that bleed every time you brush or floss
- Bad breath that will not go away
- A taste of metal in your mouth
- Shiny, puffy or sore gums
- Teeth that are sensitive for no reason

What Causes Gum Recession?

Gum recession can be caused by many different or a combination of many various factors. Some of these are in our control, and others are not. Some of the leading causes include:

Overly aggressive brushing or flossing. Be enthusiastic about your oral care but remember to brush, not scrub your teeth with a brush labeled “soft”.
Genetics. Your gums’ characteristics are determined by your genetics. If one or both of your parents have gum recession, you’re at a higher risk for receding gums.
Abnormal tooth positioning. If your teeth are not in alignment to one another, gum recession is more likely to occur.
Grinding your teeth (also known as bruxism). This habit can be the cause of many dental maladies, not just gum recession, so it’s important to let us know right away if you think you are grinding your teeth. Teeth grinding can be treated easily and painlessly with a mouth guard or one of several other options.
Trauma to gum tissue. The gum tissue may recede when a traumatic injury has occurred on a tooth or teeth.
Poor oral health. If your oral health habits are questionable, gum recession may be a result of periodontitis.

Can Gum Disease be Treated?

Yes! No matter what caused your gum recession, there is a treatment for you. If you are only mildly affected by receding gums, you most likely caught it early and won’t require professional treatment to fix it. Our dentists will help you identify the cause and instruct you on how to address it. Depending on the cause and severity of your gum recession, you may need surgical treatment in more progressive cases. This procedure performed by a periodontist is called a gum graft. We can refer you to a specialist if need be.

What is Pinhole Surgical Technique™ ?

What is Pinhole surgical technique?: Gum recession breakthrough treatment (also known as Pinhole Gum Rejuvenation or Lunchtime Gum Lift) is a procedure in which Dr. Lawrence Chong is certified in.

Why Choose Pinhole ®Surgical Technique (PST™) over other methods such as gum grafting?

Unlike gum grafting, The Pinhole Surgery Technique™ is minimally invasive and does not cut gum tissue, making it a much less painful option. The recovery period is also shortened significantly, and the chances of infection are near eliminated. The final appearance is also far superior and more natural-looking than other procedures in which the color and texture of the gums are harder to match.

What are the benefits of Pinhole Surgical Technique™(Gum Lift)?

- Non-invasive
- Reduces the side effects of gum surgery (bleeding, swelling, gum pain)
- Near-immediate cosmetic improvement
- Incision, scalpel and suture-free
- Accelerated recovery
- One visit can treat multiple areas of recession
- Less discomfort for the patient after treatment
- No need for uncomfortable sutures
- No need for scalpels or invasive surgical tools
- No need to take donor tissue from the patient’s palate
- Excellent, natural looking and long-lasting results