Gum Disease

Gum Disease Affects Millions of Smiles

Over half of the U.S. adult population has some form of gum disease, and many of those cases go undiagnosed. Because gum disease is not painful and its earliest symptoms are minor, many are unaware they have an infection and forgo visiting a periodontist. Gum disease has three stages and often presents itself with these common signs:

Stage 1: Gingivitis

Bleeding gums when brushing or flossing
Minor inflammation and redness of the gums
Bad breath

Gingivitis can be reversed; no permanent damage has been done

Stage 2: Periodontitis

Periodontal pockets (hollow areas around the teeth)
Receding gums
Early bone and tissue loss

Further damage can be prevented, but irreversible damage has begun

Stage 3: Advanced Periodontitis

Loose teeth
Tooth loss
Moderate to severe bone loss

Irreversible damage is done and treatment is needed to save the teeth

Systemic Effects of Gum Disease

Gum disease is a progressive disease so seeking treatment as soon as symptoms present themselves increases your chances of halting infection and saving your smile. Without treatment, gum disease can be allowed to grow and induce harm on not only the teeth, but supporting tissue and bone structures as well. In addition, gum disease has been linked to serious systemic effects such as:

Heart disease
Stroke
Diabetes
Certain cancers
Pregnancy complications
Respiratory illness
Rheumatoid arthritis

Your Treatment Options

Dr. Sawan Malik offers treatment options for those with any stage of gum disease. All of these procedures are aimed at clearing infection and restoring health to your mouth, to reduce or eliminate symptoms and stop the progression of bone and tooth loss.

Scaling and Root Plaining- This non-surgical treatment is often recommended for those with mild cases of gum disease. Compared to a deep cleaning, scaling and root planing removes plaque and bacteria to reduce gum inflammation and restore health.
LANAP^® Laser Gum Therapy- Dr. Malik is proud to offer the minimally-invasive LANAP® protocol as an alternative to traditional osseous surgery. Ideal for any stage of gum disease, this laser treatment eradicates harmful bacteria and removes diseased tissue without cutting the gums, while leaving healthy tissue intact. Most patients feel little-to-no discomfort and enjoy a healthier smile the same day as treatment.
Osseous Surgery- The more conventional approach to gum disease treatment, osseous surgery involves gently cutting gum tissue to access areas of infection below the gumline. While effective at removing bacteria and restoring oral health, this treatment is more invasive than its laser alternative and often involves a longer recovery time.

Gum Disease Can be Managed at Any Stage of Infection