Cervical Disk Surgery

If there is mild to moderate plaque or tartar accumulation then cleaning of the teeth (i.e. removal of tartar deposits by a dental professional) is done. This is known as scaling. This simple procedure of scaling is the most important and frequently performed treatment modality for gum disease. Occasionally, it may require three or four sessions of treatment. It is also required for preparing the gums and teeth for periodontal surgery. There is a widespread misconception that scaling causes gaps in the teeth. However that is not correct. Professional scaling at regular intervals goes a long way in preventing and treating gum disease. In case if deposits of tartar are not CROWNexcessive then scaling is sufficient for the management of gum disease.

Periodontal surgery

Sometimes, there are very heavy deposits of tartar. This results in gums pulling away from teeth. Such tartar cannot be removed by scaling alone. If there are heavy deposits of tartar then deep cleaning is performed by separating the gum from the teeth and then tartar is reSometimes a little bit of bad and diseased gum tissue is removed. This is required so that the patient can maintain proper oral hygiene. This procedure is known as "gingivectomy" .
If there has been a lot of bone loss then there is a new treatment modality available i.e. to put artifidal bone.A new therapeutic procedure has been developed which is known as "Guided Tissue Regeneration." However artificial bone placement and guided tissue regeneration can be done only in a minuscule of cases. Further more the high cost of the procedure is also a deterrent.

Diagnostic Aids

Before initiating "Periodontal Surgery", the Dentist usually requires a few radiographs (Xrays). Many a times full mouth X-rays are required. Sometimes a model of the patient's teeth is also required. Routine blood tests are sometimes asked for.

Sensitivity

Following periodontal surgery, most of the patients experience dental sensitivity of varying degrees. Sensitivity is neither a side effect nor a complication. It is an expected squel of periodontal surgery. It is managed by the use of desensitizing toothpastes. Sometimes fluoride is also applied on patient's teeth. The sensitivity is transient and usually subsides after some time.

Other Treatment Procedures

The gaps caused in the front teeth by gum disease can be masked aesthetically by filling. them with a special kind of restorative material or by placing ceramic laminates.
If the teeth are very mobile then they can be splinted (tied) together. However when this is done, the patient must practice diligent oral hygiene.
If there are missing teeth, these should be replaced so that there is no shifting of the other teeth. If teeth are not replaced then the other teeth tend to move causing inter-dental gaps. The teeth in the opposing arch may grow too long.
Bad habits like smoking, tobacco chewing, gutkha, pan masala etc. contribute in a big way to gum destruction. They must be stopped immediately.
In case, there are excessive stains on the teeth then these need to be removed by bleaching. Bleaching also restores the natural colour of the teeth and provides a muchneeded psychological boost for the pati.ent to quit his bad habits. One must not hesitate to take psychiatric help in case if the habit is obstinate. The general condition of the patient also affects the initiation and progress of gum disease. Any systemic disease - like diabetes if it exists must also be treated simultaneously for satisfactory resolution of gum disease.

Maintenance

These are therapeutic steps carried out by the dental professional. The most important step or the "Maintenance Phase" starts after the professional treatment is over. It consists basically of maintaining oral hygiene by the patient. The best of HEAVY forts of the dental DEPOSITS professional can go OFTARTAR 'waste if the patient
INFLAMED, does not maintain GUM TISSUE his oral hygiene
BONE, well. It is also essenLOSS , tial that patient visit
 his dental surgeon regularly for profes
sional check-ups.

Even after regular brushing and
flossing there are always a few places where plaque and tartar usually accumulates. It requires the skill of a dental professional to detect and make the patient aware of this. Besides the dental surgeon evaluates the oral hygiene habits of the patient and may suggest some improvement in oral hygiene habits or the use of some interdental cleansing aids.
Those patients who have gum recession must use special kind of interdental brushes. I also strongly recommend the use of oral irrigators.
Special care is required for those wearing partial dentures, bridges, crowns, implants and orthodontic appliances. More plaque tends to accumulate around any denture or appliance. Dental surgeon may suggest some special kinds of brushes or other cleansing aids to keep them clean.
With proper professional interventions and regular and diligent home care the teeth can last a lifetime.