periodontal(gum) treatment

About Specialist Dental

We are a multi-disciplinary specialist dental practice inGuildford. All specialist dentists are registered specialists in theirfields with the dental governing body (GDC), who have hadformal post-graduate training, education and continuousprofessional development. They regularly attend conferencesnationally and internationally in their specialist fields to deliverthe best possible treatments. We have been established forover 20 years and have accepted referrals from general dentistsin the surrounding area for over 15 years.

Periodontal treatment is carried out byour Specialist Periodontist Dr Nada Al-Nahi who is a registered Specialist withthe GDC.

All of our Specialist Periodontists use thelatest equipment and the highest qualitymaterials to achieve optimum success.

What you can expect from us

At Specialist Dental we are committed to providing you withthe highest levels of customer care using the most advancedtechniques in our modern state-of-the-art practice. At your firstappointment we will take the time to get to know you, find outwhat your concerns are and how we can help you. We will carryout a thorough examination of your teeth, gums and smile.Following the examination, we will provide you with apersonalised treatment plan that suits your needs.

Specialist Dental,

Premier House, 25-27 Chertsey Street, Guildford,

Surrey GU1 4HD

T 01483 504705

F 01483 511370

E info@specialistdental.co.uk

www.specialistdental.co.uk

Please visit our website www.specialistdental.co.uk for further details about periodontal treatment

Our Opening Hours:

9:00am to 5:00pm Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Friday

9.30am to 5.30pm Wednesday

Closed on Sundays and Bank Holidays

Specialist Expertise & Experience

Treatment

We will be able to discuss your treatment options with you at yourconsultation.

Stabilisation

The Full Mouth Disinfection - This is a technique where all theteeth are root planed (removal of plaque and calculus on the rootsurface) in one day. In effect your mouth is completelydisinfected, there is no chance of re-infection of the clean siteswith bacteria from the diseased sites. Often, you will be asked totake a course of oral antibiotics. The antibiotics enhance thedisinfecting process and effectively reduce disease activity in verydeep pockets and may help with the body’s healing process.Usually the treatment is divided into two sessions in one day; onein the morning and the other in the afternoon and each side ofthe mouth is treated in turn. You are given a local anaesthetic sothat you feel comfortable.

The full mouth disinfection is an effective way of reducing diseaseactivity around your mouth. It prevents multiple visits and hasreduced the need for periodontal surgery.

Surgery

Imagine being able to repair the foundations around the teethand grow some bone which has been lost around you teeth.Regenerative periodontal surgery offers you the chance toachieve this. Periodontal surgery is a simple and effectivetreatment, when it is coupled with a protein that promotes newtooth attachment and bone, the treatment outcome is enhanced.

Maintenance

The foundation of all periodontal therapy is good maintenance.All treatment programmes are followed by long termmaintenance regimes with the dentist or hygienist. Themaintenance with the hygienist prevents relapse. This can eitherbe carried out at your own practice or at Specialist Dental.Detailed annual reassessments by your Specialist Periodontist arerequired with charts to ensure that disease activity is monitoredand kept under control.

Who is likely to develop (gum) disease?

The biggest known risk factors are smoking, stress and familyhistory of periodontitis. There is substantial scientific evidenceto show a genetic tendency towards the disease in the mostsevere cases. Pregnancy can make you more vulnerable, as candiabetes and other conditions which compromise the immunesystem.

Advanced generalised periodontal disease occurs in 50 per cent of smokers.

Why is your dentist concerned?

The long-term stability and life of your teeth foundations arebeing undermined by periodontal disease. Not only is itimportant to treat the periodontitis to retain your teeth, but itis also important treat for your general well-being. Apart fromthe obvious discomfort and distress caused by loose teeth andresulting tooth loss, scientific research is highlighting an evenmore serious side effect of CIPD.

Both British and American research has demonstrated a linkbetween CIPD and life-threatening conditions such as heartdisease (heart attacks and strokes). Sufferers from periodontitishave twice the risk of a fatal heart attack than those withhealthy gums. Recent findings show that bacteria enter theblood through inflamed gums and cause small blood clots,which contribute to blocked arteries. Additional evidenceshows pregnant women with untreated periodontal diseaseare more likely to have a premature or low birth weight child orsuffer miscarriage. The disease heightens the risk of respiratoryproblems such as pneumonia, emphysema and bronchitis, andthere are links to diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, Alzheimer’sdisease and early dementia.

What if it is not treated?

In most cases, it is possible to successfully treat periodontitis, withlasting effects, especially in the earlier stages of the disease. If leftuntreated, the teeth will continue to lose their supportingjawbone and gums and eventually lead to tooth loss. In addition,untreated periodontitis increases your risk of developingsystemic diseases.

Why Specialist Dental?

All our Periodontists are dental surgeons, who have undergoneformal recognised post-graduate training in the diagnosis andtreatment of conditions and diseases affecting the supportingstructures of the teeth as well as Implant Dentistry. All ourPeriodontists are recognised Specialists by The General DentalCouncil (the dental governing body) and are on the dentalspecialist register.

We are able to offer procedures that are generally outside thescope of general dentists and hygienists. Many general dentalpractices will be able to diagnose and offer help for periodontaldisease at early stages. This may involve the dentist or theirhygienist providing treatment. In susceptible people, untreatedgingivitis will advance to periodontitis, and at this stage thedamage is irreversible. The disease varies between people andthe rate of its deterioration can be worryingly rapid. Specialistperiodontal treatment is required to limit further deteriorationand restore optimum oral health. Our periodontal therapies gobeyond what is normally offered by general dentists. OurPeriodontists are experts in their field and offer highlysuccessful treatments tailor-made to meet your individualneeds and aim to keep you pain free, with the best possiblelong-term outlook.

We will treat you confidentially, cost effectively and in tranquilexquisite surroundings with state-of-the-art equipment andthe very latest techniques. Our committed team will keep youfully informed at all times and work with you to select the bestchoices for the treatment and future management of yourperiodontal disease.

What happens next?

Once we have your details we can arrange an initialconsultation. The Specialist Periodontist will assess the toothsupport of all your teeth. They will assess the plaque levels &evaluate the activity and extent of your periodontal disease.Radiographic examination of your teeth will give a picture ofthe prognosis (life) of your teeth. All findings are discussed withyou. We will discuss your treatment options, the number andlength of visits required, likely outcome as well as costsinvolved. We will then draw up a mutually agreed treatmentplan. We endeavor always to work closely with you and provideyou with the most appropriate advice and treatment tailored toyour individual needs for long-term retention and restorationof your teeth and gums. If you have been referred to us, we willsend a report back to your dentist.

What is periodontal (Gum) disease?Periodontal disease is the name given to a number ofinflammatory diseases of the gums. It is caused by theaccumulation of colonies of bacteria around the necks of ourteeth forming a sticky film called dental plaque, whichconstantly forms on our teeth. This bacterial assault causes thegums to fight back with an inflammatory response, to preventthe bacteria invading our bodies via the gums. Whilst this iseffective at preventing widespread bacterial infection in ourbodies, the plaque can produce toxins that break down theattachment between the gum and the tooth. This leads toloosening of the teeth and eventually tooth loss.

The simplest form of gum disease is gingivitis, which isreversible. The gums are reddened and sometimes bleed onbrushing or flossing. What begins as gingivitis may progress toother forms of irreversible disease, known as periodontitis. Inthis form of disease, the structures which are fundamentalfoundations for 'teeth for life', are damaged by the bacterialplaque travelling below the gum line causing the gum to pullaway from the tooth, forming “pockets”. The periodontalligament (the attachment between the tooth and gums) andthe bone support of the teeth are destroyed. There aredifferent types of chronic inflammatory periodontal disease(CIPD). It is known that some people are more susceptible tomore aggressive variants of the disease.

Periodontal disease can affect one tooth or many teeth. Thedamage caused to the bone and gums is irreversible, buttreatment and aftercare can prevent further harm. In somecases other medical problems are linked to severe gumdisease.

What are the signs and symptoms ofperiodontitis?Unfortunately, periodontitis is insidious in its nature and thesigns can be extremely variable. They may include gums thatbleed on brushing together with signs of more advanceddisease such as receding gums, spacing between teeth, foodpacking, difficulty chewing, abscesses, bad breath, severe painand loss of teeth. However, it is possible to have the diseaseand not be aware of these signs. It is essential to visit yourdentist regularly so that special assessment techniques,sometimes including x-rays, can be carried out as part of yourroutine dental examinations.