Periodontal Disease

Gum Disease Treatment & Maintenance in Lynn, MA.

happy mature couple At the dental practice of Gary P. Wheeler, DDS, we recognize that your gums are the foundation of your oral health and provide exceptional care to preserve your smile. Gum disease can get worse over time if left untreated. If you have advanced gum disease, our team's periodontist, Dr. Melcer, will address your concerns with specialized treatment plans.

Our team, Dr. Gary P. Wheeler, Dr. Andrew Melcer, and Dr. Chloe Stanko, are highly experienced professionals, ready to listen to your concerns and customize your treatment to make your experience comfortable and enjoyable. Contact us today to schedule your appointment at our Lynn, MA, practice!

CALL US: (781) 595-7953 REQUEST APPOINTMENT

What is Gum Disease?

Gum disease is a condition that impacts the tissues that support and surround your teeth. The earliest stage of gum disease is known as gingivitis and often triggers inflammation. On its own, gingivitis can cause discomfort and make your gums feel inflamed.

If it goes untreated for long, gum disease can develop into moderate to severe periodontitis. This progression can cause significant side effects, including heightened tooth sensitivity, receding gums, and even tooth or bone loss over time.

Gum disease is generally reversible in its earliest stage, gingivitis. We always recommend bi-annual exams so we can diagnose and treat the condition as soon as possible. The sooner we take care of the issue, the quicker we can restore your gums to perfect health.

illustration of irritated gums Common signs and symptoms of gum disease include:

Puffy, red, or swollen gums
Bleeding whenever you brush or floss
Persistent bad breath even with regular brushing and mouthwash
Sensitivity to hot or cold foods and drinks
Loose teeth
An abscess on your gums
Receding gums

Certain conditions may increase your risk of developing gum disease, including genetics, smoking, pregnancy hormones, age, and other medical conditions, such as diabetes.

How Gum Disease Affects Your Health

smiling woman Bacteria buildup leads to plaque, which hardens over time to form tartar, a tough substance that you cannot eliminate through brushing alone. Bacteria can also spread to your gums, under their protective lining, and into your tooth roots. Over time, the excessive bacteria buildup causes pockets to form around your teeth, which trap food particles.

Without proper treatment, bacteria can spread to other parts of your body, impacting your general health. Our dental team can treat mild, moderate, and severe gum disease and offer preventive care to minimize your risk of developing additional health problems. We provide both surgical and non-surgical periodontal treatments.

Non-Surgical Treatments for Gum Disease

We recommend different treatments for gum disease depending on the stage of the infection. For mild to moderate conditions, we offer effective non-surgical treatments, including:

Scaling & Root Planing: Our skilled hygienists can treat areas with infections through deep cleanings called scaling and root planing. Tooth scaling involves eliminating bacterial plaque and tartar buildup from teeth surfaces and along the gum line. We use root planing to clean tooth roots and smooth them out to promote faster healing and tissue re-attachment.

Prophylaxis: Prophylaxis is a maintenance cleaning procedure that involves a thorough cleaning of your teeth and gumline. It is a critical preventative solution to use after other periodontal treatments to keep the condition under control.

Antibiotics: Our dentists can address specific forms of gum disease with topical and oral antibiotics. The most significant advantage of using topical antibiotics is that they are directed to the specific target areas, ensuring that the rest of your body is not affected.

Surgical Treatments for Gum Disease

For moderate to severe cases of gum disease, our expert periodontist provides procedures to repair damage and encourage regeneration. We also follow surgical treatments with non-surgical treatments to prevent relapse. Our surgical treatment options include:

Gum Grafting: Periodontal disease can cause your gums to recede and expose roots. We offer gum graft surgery to repair the defects and prevent further bone and gum loss. Our experienced team can safely extract tissue from your palate or another donor source and surgically place it over the exposed area.

Sinus Augmentation: A sinus lift, or augmentation is a surgical procedure that adds bone to your upper jaw in the gap between your molars and premolars. This is also the space between your maxillary sinuses on both sides of your nose. A sinus lift is sometimes needed before you can receive a dental implant.

Pocket Reduction Surgery: Also known as osseous or flap surgery, it is done to access infection below the gum line. We remove the infection, cleanse the pocket, and close the flap. This procedure helps promote healing and encourages the growth of new tissue.

Bone Grafting: Bone grafting is a surgical procedure to replace the missing bone with materials from your own body or a synthetic or natural substitute. Bone tissue can regenerate if it has adequate space to grow.

Extractions to Support Your Oral Health

Sometimes gum disease or tooth decay can cause damage that can’t be repaired. Tooth extraction can eliminate infection and relieve your pain and help restore your oral health. Our dentists can provide you with replacement solutions to restore function and aesthetics once again! We also do extractions for other reasons, including:

To remove impacted wisdom teeth
Reduce crowding and prepare for braces
If the tooth is damaged from trauma or injury

What is Cosmetic Gum Contouring?

happy group of young friends outdoors Gum contouring, or aesthetic gingival contouring, is a cosmetic procedure that our dentists offer to improve the health and appearance of your gums. This treatment can remove excess gum tissue that gives you a "gummy" smile or reshape gum tissue for a more balanced look.

We also offer crown lengthening procedures that expose more of your tooth structure to make room for a crown or veneer. This procedure can also improve your smile’s appearance.

Quality Dental Care & Gum Disease Treatments in Lynn, MA!

At the practice of Gary P. Wheeler, DDS, it is our privilege to treat you and provide comfortable procedures that deliver excellent results. Safety and cleanliness are priorities, and our experienced dentists and periodontist will always address your concerns with the respect and compassion you deserve. We proudly serve Lynn and the surrounding Essex County communities. Call our dental office today for an appointment!