Periodontics is the branch of dentistry that understands, diagnoses and treats the diseases that affect the supporting structures of your teeth. These supporting structures include your gums, periodontal membranes, alveolar bone and other areas of your jawbone. You may need to visit a periodontics office if you develop gum disease, are at high risk of gum disease, or suffer complications due to gum disease.

What is gum disease?

Gum disease, the most serious form of periodontal disease, is an infection that affects the supporting dental structure. Gum disease is the primary cause of tooth loss among adults, and it occurs in most adults. According to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), periodontal disease occurs in nearly 50 percent of adults. Once adults are 65-years-old, that percentage increases to 70 percent.
Gum disease occurs due to the buildup of bacteria and plaque along the edge of your gum line. Plaque eventually hardens into tartar and cannot be removed without the help of a dentist or periodontics office. If gum disease is not treated or stopped in its early stages, it develops into the more severe periodontal disease, characterized by the chronic inflammatory response of the gum tissues and supporting bone structure of your teeth. Symptoms of gum disease include periodontal pockets (gum pulls away from teeth, creating pockets), gum recession, loose teeth, exposed roots, gum inflammation and bleeding, and discomfort.
If this sounds familiar to you, you should visit a periodontics office immediately to reduce your risk of losing teeth and needing oral surgery.

Signs you need to visit a periodontics office

It is crucial to visit a periodontics office if:

• Gum disease runs in the family
• The patient is pregnant (women who are pregnant are more susceptible to gum disease due to an increase in natural bacteria)
• The gums are swollen, red and bleed when one brushes or flosses
• The patient notices that his or her breath is constantly foul-smelling, even after brushing
• The patient has a constant metallic taste in the mouth
• The gums are receding, showing more of the tooth
• There are pockets between the teeth and gums
• The teeth feel loose or like they are shifting in alignment
• One notices a weakness when chewing
• It is uncomfortable to eat
• The teeth are extra-sensitive to hot and cold temperatures
• An individual smokes or chews tobacco
• One has night grinding habits
• Once has diabetes, which results in higher levels of sugar in saliva

These signs that one needs to visit a periodontics office need to be taken seriously. Even if one does not have gum disease, there may be another dental structure issue that needs treatment. The American Academy of Periodontology recommends patients receive an all-inclusive periodontal evaluation from a dentist or periodontics office once a year. With the annual evaluation, the patient can ensure a periodontal disease does not develop because it was unnoticed in the beginning stages. If one develops gum disease, we can help fight it by providing the necessary periodontics treatment options.

Dental Implants Are a Secure Alternative to Dentures

Dental implants can accomplish much more than replacing missing teeth. In many cases, we can use dental implants to replace dentures that do not fit well or are starting to become loose. If your teeth are missing, dental implants are the best solution for replacing them. If one takes too long to replace missing teeth with dental implants, then one risks the jaw shrinking from resorption. The sooner you replace your teeth with implants, the less resorption that will occur.

Why are implants more secure than dentures?

In short, osseointegration.  Dental implants are the only tooth replacement that we surgically place into the jaw.  To complete the procedure, we insert a titanium post under the gums and secure it to the jawbone. The body responds to titanium as if it were a natural tooth and the two will eventually fuse together through the process of osseointegration. During this process, the jawbone will provide the same level of support to the new tooth as it did to the natural one.
With dental implants, a patient can eat all of his or her favorite foods, bite down with confidence, run a marathon and even eat a plate of ribs without worrying about the teeth falling out (something that could not happen with dentures). Dental implants will also prevent the process of resorptions, in which the body leeches calcium from the gaps in the jaw to use elsewhere in the body. A dental implant stimulates the jaw to prevent this process and allow the individual to maintain a full and functional smile.

How long does the process take?

If one is ready to get begin the dental implant process, we encourage the individual to schedule a dental exam. We will conduct a physical examination to determine if there are any oral health problems that need treatment prior to the procedure. For example, if an individual has gum disease, we will need to treat it before proceeding to the dental implant procedure.
Next, we will take X-rays to determine if the patient has enough bone density to support an implant. If he or she does not, we may recommend that the patient goes through a bone grafting procedure to strengthen the jaw or consider an alternative type of implant. Once the patient is ready for the procedure, we will schedule the surgery. We can complete the surgery in a couple of hours while the patient remains under anesthesia. Understandably, the more implants one needs, the longer the surgery will take. Afterward, the patient will need to recover by being careful of what he or she eats, taking ibuprofen and using an ice pack to reduce swelling.
Once the gums heal, the patient can wear a temporary denture until the process of osseointegration is complete. While the process can take a couple of months, it is worth the wait because it ensures the stability of the dental implant, which is then attached in our Portsmouth office.  Essentially, the total process can take several months to complete but each individual step only takes a couple of hours or less.
For missing teeth, there are no solutions that are quite as secure as dental implants, a stronger alternative to dentures.