At West End Dental, Edward Kim, MS, DDS, and Lauren Izadi, DDS, provide comprehensive treatment for periodontal disease in Downtown, DC, and Foggy Bottom, DC. The professional and compassionate providers have more than 15 years of experience in the dental field and always try to stay updated with state-of-of-the-art treatment methods through continuing education.
The practice is conveniently situated and has modern diagnostic equipment in the office. The team provides everybody with care and dedicates time to understand the needs of every patient. They provide preventive care, including regular cleanings and exams, oral cancer screenings, and treatment of various problems like periodontal disease and jaw pain. Patients can get cosmetic dentistry, including veneers, teeth whitening, dental sealants, dental fillings, ceramic crowns, and BruxZir. Those who have missing teeth can get dental implants or dentures.
Periodontal Disease Treatment
Studies show that about 64 million people in America have periodontal disease. Although common, without sufficient treatment, periodontal disease can cause tooth loss and other serious conditions. The team at West End Dental provides periodontal disease diagnosis and treatment.
What Is Periodontal Disease?
These are conditions that result in the inflammation of your gums. Without immediate intervention, the disease can destroy your jawbone and gums, causing your teeth to loosen or even get removed.
Many factors can cause periodontal disease, but the primary cause is inadequate oral hygiene. Using tobacco and eating junk foods can also cause periodontal disease.
Symptoms Of Periodontal Disease
The symptoms of periodontal disease vary with the severity of the condition. Signs to look for include:
· Spaces developing between your teeth
· Pain while biting or chewing
· Loose teeth
· Bad breath
· Bleeding gums
· Purple or bright red gums
· Puffy or swollen gums
If you have periodontal disease, you may also find that your gum line is reducing, or that your teeth do not align together as they used to.
Periodontal Disease Diagnosis
Your West End Dental specialist conducts a comprehensive oral examination and periodontal probing to diagnose the condition. During periodontal probing, the provider utilizes a small hand- held ruler to compute the size of pockets around your teeth. Big pockets are a sign of active infection.
Commonly, visual examination is sufficient to diagnose periodontal disease, but your provider can also use digital X-rays to determine if your jawbone is damaged.
Periodontal Disease Treatment
The treatment of the periodontal disease depends on how severe the condition is and your general oral health. The team at West End Dental provides many types of treatment, including:
Local Antibiotic Therapy
Local antibiotic therapy involves your doctor implanting small drops of antibiotic medication below your gums. The medication dissolves over time, releasing molecules that fight the infection.
Scaling and root planing This is a quick outpatient procedure where your provider removes tartar and plaque from your teeth’s surface and below your gum line. After that, the surfaces of your teeth are smoothed, enabling your gums to cure and restore the strength of your teeth.
Do not let your quality of life be affected negatively by periodontal disease. Schedule an appointment today at West End Dental by booking online or calling the office.
