Periodontal Disease in Smithtown, NY

Periodontal (gum) disease is a condition of inflammation in the gums, which can cause significant damage to the oral health of our Long Island, Suffolk County, and Smithtown, NY patients. There are three stages of periodontal disease that range from mild to severe. The first phase is gingivitis, which is caused by a buildup of plaque under the gumline. Without treatment, gingivitis may turn into the second phase, periodontitis, which impacts the fibers and bone that hold your teeth. Advanced periodontitis is the last stage of periodontal disease, which can cause teeth to become loose or even fall out. To treat periodontal disease, NowDental of Suffolk provides both surgical and nonsurgical treatment options based on the intensity of the disease, such as antibiotics, scaling and root planing, gum surgery, gum tissue grafting, as well as tooth extraction. When you have signs of a gum infection, get in touch with our office in Smithtown, NY, to schedule an examination and consultation with one of our excellent dentists.

Gingivitis, the earliest stage of gum disease, is difficult to discover on your own, which is why it's important to schedule biannual dental exams at NowDental of Suffolk. This provides our team an opportunity to check your gums so we can recognize and treat gum disease before it impacts your oral and overall well-being. As gum disease progresses, signs will include red or swollen gums, bleeding due to routine brushing and flossing, receded or separated gums, and persistent bad breath. In the subsequent phases of periodontal disease, you might also feel pain when chewing and sensitivity to cold and hot temperatures. It is very important to schedule an appointment if you are seeing any of these symptoms so that the disease can be corrected before it spreads to your whole body.

Periodontal disease treatments will be determined by the severity of the disease. If we diagnose you with periodontal disease, we will go over our recommendations for your treatment plan. For cases caught early, scaling and root planing (SRP) is typically done to clean out your pockets of the gums. In more advanced cases, antibiotics may be prescribed along with numerous scaling and root planing treatments. Severe cases of periodontal disease will typically need a surgical procedure, like pocket reduction or gum grafting.

Based on the stage of your gum disease and your particular treatment plan, your recovery time will vary. You might need to have a number of appointments at NowDental of Suffolk to fully treat your gum infection. Once your dental health has been restored, you should continue scheduling regular dental exams and cleanings to maintain your oral health. You should also keep a good at-home dental hygiene routine, including flossing and brushing daily. We may recommend an antibacterial toothpaste or mouthwash to reduce your chance of developing another periodontal disease.

Prices for periodontal disease treatment will depend upon the seriousness of the disease, as well as the procedures required to heal your mouth. If you have dental insurance, our office will talk to your insurance company to ascertain what they cover and if there will be any additional expenses. For patients without insurance, NowDental of Suffolk takes many payments and we will be able to help you find low-interest medical financing. If you have questions about cost, please speak up during your consultation so we can answer all of your questions. Not going to the dentist because of financial concerns can lead to bigger problems and much more costly therapies.

Gum (periodontal) disease will get worse if you don't get the proper therapy so it's necessary to get professional help as soon as any symptoms occur. Left untreated, gum disease can lead to loose teeth, tooth loss, and may impact your general health. At NowDental of Suffolk, we work with you to restore your gums and prevent future cases of the disease. For more information or to schedule an appointment with one of our talented dentists, contact our office in Smithtown, NY.