Procedure Step-by-Step (Non-Surgical): The cornerstone of gum disease treatment is a deep cleaning procedure called Scaling and Root Planing (SRP).- Anesthesia: The gums are numbed with local anesthetic to ensure complete comfort.
- Scaling: The dentist or periodontist uses specialized instruments (ultrasonic scalers and hand tools) to meticulously remove all plaque and tartar (calculus) from the tooth surfaces, both above and below the gum line.
- Root Planing: After scaling, the root surfaces of the teeth are smoothed. This helps prevent bacteria from re-attaching and allows the gums to heal and reattach to the clean tooth surface. For advanced cases, surgical treatments like flap surgery or bone grafts may be necessary to access deep tartar deposits and regenerate lost bone.
Benefits:- Saves Your Teeth: The primary benefit is stopping the disease process to prevent further bone loss and eventual tooth loss.
- Improves Oral Health: Eliminates infection, reduces inflammation, and stops gums from bleeding.
- Eliminates Bad Breath (Halitosis): Addresses one of the root causes of persistent bad breath.
- Enhances Overall Health: Treating gum disease can positively impact systemic health conditions like diabetes and heart disease.
- Aesthetic Improvement: Leads to healthier, firmer, and more attractive-looking gums.
Recovery Time:- Following a scaling and root planing procedure, recovery is minimal. You may experience some mild gum tenderness and increased tooth sensitivity to hot or cold for a few days to a week.
Aftercare:- This is the most critical component. The long-term success of gum disease treatment is almost entirely dependent on aftercare.
- Impeccable Home Care: You must commit to a rigorous daily routine of brushing and flossing (or using interdental cleaners) to control plaque.
- Regular Maintenance Visits: You will be placed on a periodontal maintenance schedule, which means professional cleanings will be required more frequently than a standard six-month check-up (typically every 3-4 months). These appointments are essential to keep the disease under control.
- Lifestyle Changes: Quitting smoking is strongly advised, as it severely hinders gum healing.
Symptoms of Gum Disease:- Gums that bleed easily when brushing or flossing.
- Red, swollen, or tender gums.
- Gums that have pulled away from the teeth (receding gums).
- Persistent bad breath or a bad taste in the mouth.
- Pus between your teeth and gums.
- Teeth that have become loose or are shifting.
- A change in the way your teeth fit together when you bite.
Common Causes:- Plaque Buildup: The primary cause is the accumulation of sticky bacterial plaque at the gum line. If not removed, it hardens into tartar (calculus).
- Bacterial Toxins: The bacteria in plaque and tartar release toxins that irritate the gums, causing an inflammatory response that, over time, destroys the supporting tissues and bone.
- Contributing Factors: Smoking, genetics, hormonal changes, diabetes, and certain medications can increase the risk and severity of gum disease.
- Diagnosis: A diagnosis is made during a comprehensive periodontal examination. The key diagnostic step is periodontal probing, where your dentist or periodontist uses a small measuring instrument to gently measure the depth of the sulcus (the space between your tooth and gum). Healthy pockets are 1-3mm deep. Deeper pockets indicate the presence and severity of gum disease. Dental X-rays are also used to assess the level of bone loss around the teeth.
- Treatment: Based on the pocket depths and amount of bone loss, a treatment plan is created. For gingivitis or early periodontitis, the treatment is typically non-surgical scaling and root planing. For more advanced cases, the initial treatment is still SRP, followed by a re-evaluation to see if surgical intervention is needed to restore the damaged tissues.
The Link to Overall Health (The Mouth-Body Connection): Periodontitis is not just a dental problem. The chronic inflammation and bacteria from gum disease can enter the bloodstream and have been scientifically linked to an increased risk of serious health conditions, including heart disease, stroke, diabetes, respiratory disease, and adverse pregnancy outcomes.The Role of a Periodontist: A periodontist is a dentist who specializes in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of periodontal disease, and in the placement of dental implants. For moderate to severe cases of gum disease, a periodontist has the advanced training and expertise to provide the most effective care.Why Choose Cross Medical for Periodontal Treatment in Egypt? It’s 10:27 PM in New Cairo. While many people think of cosmetic procedures, the foundation of any great smile is healthy gums. Our network includes skilled periodontists and hygienists who specialize in treating gum disease. They utilize modern techniques like ultrasonic scaling to provide comfortable and thorough care. Addressing periodontal health here means you get access to specialist-level treatment aimed at saving your teeth and improving your overall health, all in a timely and cost-effective manner. 
