Periodontics in Berwyn, IL

Gum disease affects millions of Americans and is the leading cause of tooth loss. Diagnosing gum disease requires careful evaluation of your gums, teeth, and jawbone. Since gum disease is often painless, some patients do not even realize they have it. Gum disease is caused by a buildup of plaque on the teeth. Tartar develops, which can only be removed by a dental professional. If gum disease is left untreated, it can lead to bone loss, loose teeth, and other serious oral health problems.

What is periodontics?

Periodontics is a dental specialty that specifically focuses on diagnosing and treating gum disease. 

What does a periodontist do?

The periodontist is a dental specialist who focuses on diagnosing and treating the supporting structures of the teeth, namely the gums and jawbone. Periodontists may perform the following procedures:

• Diagnosis

Diagnosis is the first step in the periodontal treatment process. Our periodontist will examine your gums and jawbone to look for signs of gum disease, such as swollen or bleeding gums, receding gums, loose teeth, or bad breath. 

• Scaling and root planing

Scaling and root planing may be part of your regular periodontal maintenance routine. Scaling, which removes plaque and tartar deposits from your teeth, and root planing, which is the process of smoothing rough patches on your tooth roots, may be performed every 3-4 months to reduce plaque buildup. Scaling and root planing may be recommended if you are prone to tartar buildup or have symptoms of gum disease.

• Gingivectomy

Gingivectomy involves removing excess gum tissue and reshaping the gum line. It is recommended if a patient suffers from gum disease or has an uneven gum line. 

• Pocket reduction surgery/ gingivectomy

During this procedure, a periodontist will fold back any gum tissue that is covering a tooth and remove any bacteria and tartar that is beneath it. This treatment is often done for patients who have gum disease.

• Dental implants

The periodontist performs a variety of services like dental implants if there is a tooth loss resulting from periodontitis. 

• Bone grafts and a ridge augmentation

A periodontist is a specialist in placing implants and performing periodontal procedures. If your bone is weak or the ridge is receding, you may need bone grafts or ridge augmentation prior to having an implant placed. A bone graft is a surgical procedure that replaces missing bone. Grafting can repair implant sites with inadequate bone structure due to previous extractions, gum disease, or injuries. 

• Crown lengthening

Crown lengthening is a procedure that raises individual gum tissues in order to expose more of the tooth’s surface. This procedure is usually performed when a tooth breaks off at the gum line, exposing more of the tooth’s root.

• Cosmetic gum lifts

A gum lift is a non-surgical cosmetic procedure that gently reshapes the gum line. Gum lifts are used to treat receding gums and create a more symmetrical gum line. This procedure is performed using lasers. Lasers give doctors more precision when shaping the gum line and tissue.

Call 34th Street Dental Care at 708-484-6576 to schedule your consultation with our dentists to learn more about our dental treatments.