Periodontal disease, commonly known as gum disease, can affect your smile and compromise your overall oral health. For some patients, gum loss manifests as bright, tender, or sore gums. For others, it may cause either receding gums, and in advanced cases, gum disease can even contribute to tooth loss. In fact, untreated periodontal disease is the number one cause of tooth loss.
While the effects of gum disease can be serious, the good news is that gum disease is always treatable. At Burbank Periodontics, we offer several clinical solutions for patients in Burbank, CA who need preventative and restorative oral health care.
Our Approach to Your Care
Burbank Periodontics is a trusted periodontal practice committed to the highest standards of clinical care. We are committed to providing the best possible outcomes for our patients by focusing on information and education.
Additionally, our practice customizes all our treatment options. Through an initial consultation, we will determine the extent of your gum disease, identify some potential underlying causes, and develop a treatment plan aligned with your needs.
Your Initial Visit
When you join us in Burbank, our friendly team of patient care representatives will take you to a private exam room to consult with one of our periodontists.
During this initial consultation, your doctor will perform a brief physical examination of your teeth, gums, and jaw. You can also expect your doctor to review X-rays and other medical images. Most of the time, these are provided in advance by your regular dentist.
After reviewing all the information, we will talk with the patient about all the different treatment options, ensuring you have a full understanding of each procedure and potential outcomes. Our doctors are passionate about patient education and are happy to take as much time as needed to answer questions.
Surgery may be the best solution for patients with advanced gum disease or those who have not had a cleaning in several years. Scaling and root planing, or non-surgical periodontal therapy, may be needed to be performed first, thereby reducing the extent and the need for surgery.
Gum Disease Treatment Options
Non-Surgical
Whenever possible, we prefer to treat patients non-surgically. Scaling and root planing, commonly known as deep cleaning, is often the first step for treating gum disease.
Surgical
For more advanced cases of gum disease, it may be necessary to consider surgical options. There are several gum surgeries that we offer at our practice. These include:
- Soft tissue grafts, which we use to regenerate healthy gum tissue
- Guided tissue regeneration, which is needed to rebuild broken-down bone structures
- Osseous surgery, wherein we reduce the depth of gum pockets, making them easier to clean
- Laser therapy (LANAP®), which can eradicate bacterial buildup and regenerate lost tissue structures
Additionally, some patients may require tooth extractions when gum disease has significantly damaged the teeth, and those teeth are beyond the point of salvaging.
Available Sedation Options
At Burbank Periodontics, patient comfort and safety are our top concerns. We want to ensure that each procedure is as painless as can be, and we also wish to help our patients minimize any worries or anxiety. Our doctors will recommend a sedation option based on patient preference and comfort level, along with the nature of the procedure itself. We are always happy to discuss sedation options further and answer any questions you may have.
Nitrous Oxide
For patients experiencing a higher level of anxiety, we may recommend beginning the procedure with nitrous oxide, also known as “laughing gas.” Nitrous oxide can be used in conjunction with one of the other sedation options.
Oral Sedation
In certain situations, we offer sedation in pill form. Oral sedation is an easy option and can work especially well for patients who may experience anxiety related to their treatment.
IV Sedation
Much of the time, the best way to ensure the patient’s comfort and safety is through IV sedation, which mitigates pain and anxiety throughout the procedure.
You’re in Good Hands with Burbank Periodontics
Gum disease, when left untreated, has been linked to heart disease, diabetes, and other conditions. The good news is that there are safe and effective options for eliminating gum disease. At Burbank Periodontics, we are pleased to be trusted providers serving our local community.
Contact us whenever you are ready to set up an appointment at (818) 842-6162.
