Your teeth are the stars of your smile, but they would be nothing without their supporting cast: gums, jaws, roots, and periodontal ligaments. At Smilebuilderz, our dental specialties include periodontal dentistry in Lancaster. Our leading periodontists, Dr. Moe and Dr. John Nikas, specialize in caring for your oral structures to ensure a bright, healthy, and whole smile.
This article will delve into the significance of periodontics and common periodontal diseases and treatments. You’ll also discover how we at Smilebuilderz go above and beyond to ensure outstanding results for our patients.
Understanding Periodontics
Periodontics is a specialized field of dentistry requiring several additional years of schooling beyond dental school. The specialty focuses on gum health and supporting mouth structures, including the roots of our teeth, jaw bones, and more.
A periodontist can diagnose and effectively treat such periodontal diseases as gingivitis, a gum infection that affects the tissue surrounding and supporting teeth, or advanced periodontal disease, also known as periodontitis. The latter is caused by bacteria build-up in plaque on your teeth and can lead to severe bone and gum loss.
The Importance of Gum Health
Why are the gums so important? Decades of study back up what dentists and periodontists have known all along – when your gums are sick, the rest of your body is also at risk of disease.
Your gums belong to a system of mucous membranes that defend your body against bacteria and other pathogens. When infected (like with gum disease), the gums become the primary channels transmitting bacteria throughout the body. This contamination can cause various health problems, such as:
- Heart attacks, strokes, and other cardiovascular problems
- Certain kinds of cancers
- Difficulty controlling diabetes
- Inflammation
- Immune system compromise
- Problems with joint replacements
- Pregnancy complications and low birth weight in infants
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Osteoporosis
- Respiratory disease
- And More…
Did you know that periodontal disease afflicts over 50% of American adults who are 30 years or older? Periodontal disease symptoms include varying degrees of gum inflammation, bleeding, and bad breath. If left untreated by a dentist or periodontist, such issues can lead to more severe systemic health problems.
Treating Periodontal Disease at Smilebuilderz
At Smilebuilderz, our periodontists in Lancaster provide exceptional care whether you are preventing or treating periodontal disease. Such care may involve both surgical and non-invasive procedures to protect, rebuild, and heal your oral structures – gums, jaws, roots, and periodontal ligaments. Missing teeth may also leave oral structures vulnerable, so we also specialize in cosmetic procedures such as contouring and replacing missing teeth with high-quality dental implants.
Our dental offices in the Lancaster area prioritize patient comfort and safety beyond all else. We prioritize your overall well-being and deliver impeccable care with state-of-the-art tools and techniques, all while keeping stress levels to a minimum with the ultimate comforts.
If you are interested in learning more about the wide range of dental treatments and specialties available at our Lancaster dental offices, including periodontics, please reach out to us today. We look forward to helping you achieve the smile you have been dreaming of!