How is gum disease related to bone loss?
Many adults in Milwaukee, WI and all over the US suffer from gum disease at some level. Gum disease is often caused by poor dental hygiene and if left untreated, it can develop to a more serious dental condition called Periodontitis. Periodontitis is considered a very serious gum infection because it damages the soft tissues that are surrounding the tooth and will eventually destroy the bone that supports your teeth which can result in tooth loss.
Periodontitis causes bacteria-filled plaque to spread below the patient’s gum line. This causes pockets to form adding more chances for infection to breed and spread. Over time, the infection will cause the gradual deterioration of the patient’s jaw bone and the bone will recede away from the tooth.
Once the tooth or teeth are lost due to periodontal disease (gum disease), the patient will be given options that will fit within their budgets. Most tooth replacements, whether they are dentures, partials or implants require bone for support. If people wait too long to restore their missing teeth the bone loss can be quite extensive. When deep cleanings and scaling and root planning can allow us to keep teeth we try everything to save your teeth first! If however, they must be lost, it is better to consider removal before the bone loss is so advanced that grafting procedures and advanced techniques are required to rebuild your smile.
Bone grafting from the chin, ramus (lower posterior jaw), or use of bone morphogenic proteins (bone growth factors in a bottle) are all options that need to be discussed with severe gum and bone destruction problems.
When bone loss gets too severe, even bone from the hip may be needed to rebuild lost foundations. So read Dr. Richard’s article on Compromised Foundations Require Confident Conversation under Publications to learn more about bone grafting and pain from periodontal disease. Also, read General Dentistry As A Specialty!
Call us at 414-464-9021 to schedule your advanced gum disease examination or to discuss implants and bone grafting.
Actual Patient Case Study On Gum Disease Treatment
What are the treatments available for advanced bone loss?
Bone Grafting In Milwaukee, WI
Bone grafting is performed when periodontitis has resulted in severe damage to the bone surrounding a person’s teeth. The grafting materials used can either come from a bone bank and are sterilized matrices used to help guide bone replacement or they may come from artificial sources or may be bone particles harvested from the patients themselves. Bone grafts help maintain bone volume and height to aid in implant placement. Bone grafts can help avoid more costly bone block replacements if they are done at the time a tooth is extracted.
Soft Tissue Grafting
Soft tissue grafting is performed when there is a lack of keratinized or thick tissue at an anticipated implant site. This can be done by using acellular dermal matrix (donated skin which has been sterilized and is devoid of living cells), or from harvesting soft tissue from the patient’s palate.
Sometimes there may be the need for more than one grafting procedure and if a block graft is planned sometimes extra tissue must be grafted prior to performing the block graft.
Tissue Regeneration
Tissue regeneration as it takes time for a persons bone and skin to replace the bone and membrane that are placed for augmentation purposes.
Membranes are used to stop cellular and soft tissue invagination into the new bone substitute so the new bone can be dense, hard and free of granulation or soft tissues. This facilitates implant placement when bone loss has become extensive.
Flap Surgery
This procedure involves making incisions in the gums to allow your dentist to lift back your gums and clean the area surrounding the gums thoroughly. Your dentist will then repair the damage caused by periodontitis to the underlying bone and restore the normal position of the receded gum to improve its appearance.
Laser Gum Surgery
Advanced dental technology like the LightScalpel CO2 laser allows dentists to perform a wider range of procedures with minimal discomfort. This includes removing lesions and fibromas inside the mouth, treating gum disease with greater precision (gingivectomy), and even assisting with implant placement.
Full Mouth Rehabilitation In Milwaukee, WI
Treatment for advanced cases of bone bossloss does not stop in recreating the jaw bone and providing sufficient bone mass. Our team in Milwaukee, WI will provide you with a personalized treatment plan that maps out the dental procedures that will be done in stages in order to restore your smile.
The reconstruction of your teeth after successful restoration of bone mass will be geared towards replacing your missing teeth. The dental procedure and appliances to be used are of course based on your preference. Most patients at the Hampton Dental Associates who prefer a more permanent solution to their missing teeth are all able to have successful dental implant placement as well as permanent bridgework after their jaw bone has been recreated.
As mentioned, treatments will be done in stages and you can be guaranteed that you will not go toothless for the duration of the entire treatment because you will be provided a temporary bridge so that you can still eat normally and will not feel self-conscious about not having any teeth as we fabricate your permanent porcelain bridgework.
Hampton Dental Associates uses only the best and the latest in imaging technology so you can be sure that your dental appliances fits perfectly, looks very natural, and will compliment your overall appearance.
Click here to read more about this Gum and Bone Disease patient case study.
What Are The Symptoms of Gum Bone Disease?
There are various symptoms that may signify the onset of gum bone disease.
Below is a list of the symptoms of gum bone disease:
- Red, swollen gums
- Bleeding gums
- Chronic bad breath
- Loose teeth
- Receding gums
- Pus in-between the teeth
- Noticeable change in the position of teeth
- Changes in how your teeth fit together when chewing
It is important to note that people will experience these symptoms differently. To know if you have gum bone disease, you will need to schedule an appointment with Dr. Winter.
How Can I Prevent Gum Bone Disease?
You can prevent gum bone disease through a variety of ways. The easiest way to prevent gum bone disease is to maintain good oral health. This includes brushing your teeth twice every day, flossing at least once a day to remove excess plaque, and reducing the amount of sugary foods and beverages in your diet. When brushing your teeth, it is highly recommended to use toothpaste with fluoride. This ingredient is known for reducing the risk of tooth decay.
You can also prevent gum bone disease by scheduling routine dental check-ups. Regular dental check-ups and maintenance are key to detecting the issue early and treating it accordingly.
Can Gum Bone Disease Cause Tooth Loss?
Yes, tooth loss can be the result of gum disease and bone loss. As the bacteria continues to spread, it can destroy the roots, gums, and even bones of your teeth. When this occurs, the teeth become loose and require extraction. Tooth loss can lead to a whole slew of other issues and require bridges and implants or dentures.
Is Gum Bone Disease Linked to Other Health Conditions?
Yes, there have been various studies on how gum bone disease can be linked to other health conditions. Gum bone disease has been reported to be linked to heart disease, diabetes, respiratory diseases, and pregnancy complications.
Is Gum Disease Contagious?
No, gum disease itself is not contagious. However, the bacteria that cause it can be spread through saliva and kissing. Sharing toothbrushes, utensils, and even drinking out of the same cup can increase other people’s risk of developing periodontal disease.
Can Gum disease and Bone loss Disease Cause Pain?
During the early stages, gum disease does not typically cause pain. However, if the condition becomes worse, it is common for people to experience discomfort in their gums, especially when it comes to eating and brushing their teeth. People with gum disease have bad breath! It may not be noticeable to you and friends may not tell you but the odor of bone loss can often be smelled easily when next to someone with gum problems.
Is It Possible to Reverse Gum Disease By Myself?
Maintaining good oral hygiene at home is a great way to prevent gum bone disease. However, you cannot reverse it without the care of a professional like Dr. Winter. Professional dental care is necessary to remove tartar, remove bacteria from deep pockets and eliminate pus that's stuck in these pockets!
Can Smoking Worsen Gum Bone Disease?
Yes, smoking is actually a risk factor for gum disease. Not only can it increase your risk of developing the condition, it can exacerbate the symptoms. Furthermore, smoking can interfere with the healing process and reduce your gum’s blood flow.
Schedule An Appointment
If you're interested in learning more about full-mouth reconstruction in Milwaukee, WI as a treatment for advanced bone loss due to periodontitis, call us today at 414-464-9021 or click the button below.
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