PERIODONTAL SERVICES

At Bay Dental, we are dedicated to the highest level of gum excellence. Periodontics is a branch of dentistry that handles the illness of the supporting structures of the teeth including the gums and bone.

Our periodontal treatments are designed to help stop the spreading of illness and bring your oral wellness back to optimal health.

Who is affected by periodontitis?

Adult periodontitis begins around age 35 and is almost universal. The degree of bone loss and inflammation is made worse through genetic pre-disposition and smoking.

What is periodontitis?

Periodontitis creates inflammation. All inflammatory diseases put your body at greater risk for systemic disease, particularly diabetes and heart disease. Your treatment with the dental hygienist reduces this inflammation. Uncontrolled periodontitis results in bone loss around your teeth and ultimately causes tooth loss and inflammation which contributes to systemic diseases.

It is a site specific disease, meaning it may occur in one area and not another.

It progresses slowly and we notice changes in bone levels over 5-10 year periods.

Bone loss is a response to inflammation caused by bacterial endotoxins and therefore periodontitis is classified as an inflammatory disease.

What does treatment look like?

Treatment is based on removal of bacteria and toxins and calcified deposits which harbour the bacteria. This is called debridement or scaling and root planing. Also old dental work that is jagged and rough may harbour bacteria and therefore will require replacement.

How can I prevent adult periodontitis?

Seeing a dental hygienist on a regular basis is treatment for adult periodontitis; it will prevent further progression of this disease and inflammation.

Treatment for adult periodontitis at Bay Dental

At Bay Dental, we aim to control the progression of the bone loss and inflammation through scaling, root planing, and proper oral self-care, such as proper brushing, flossing technique and education.

This is required throughout a patients’ lifetime similar to controlling adult onset diabetes through diet and exercise. You cannot remove adult periodontitis in the way an infected appendix is removed, we aim to control it.

Sometimes if scaling and root planing fails to prevent progression, we use minor surgical procedures to help slow the progression of bone loss and inflammation.

There are many new ways of treating periodontitis which may change what we are doing, however they are experimental and not in widespread use at this time.

We will treat each case individually and will make a treatment plan based on your needs. We will monitor your bone loss and inflammation using an annual periodontal screening/examination. This is promoted by the World Health Organization (WHO).

Every patient has the right to refuse treatment as long as the education they receive is understood.

Initial treatment will vary between 1 and 4 appointments followed by maintenance treatments every 3, 4, or 6 months.

If you’re looking for periodontal services in downtown Vancouver, simply contact Bay Dental today and we will be happy to schedule a consultation or appointment for you.