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Periodontal Therapy
In Richardson, TX
Control gum disease and save your teeth. Dr. Morgan provides comprehensive periodontal treatment in Richardson to stop infection, prevent tooth loss, and protect your overall health.
UNDERSTANDING GUM DISEASE
Periodontal disease, commonly known as gum disease, affects about 30% of the adult population and is the number one cause of tooth loss in adults. Many denture cases begin because of this chronic condition. While not curable, with a dedicated professional hygiene regimen and consistent at-home care, it is controllable.
Gum disease can advance with few signs or symptoms in early stages. Many patients diagnosed with this condition experience no pain and are surprised by the quiet yet swift damage that periodontal disease leaves in its wake.
Think of the gums and bone around your teeth as the foundation of a house. Just like a house, the foundation must be sound regardless of the beauty of the home. When the foundation crumbles, the rest of it does too. More than 50% of the bone around your teeth can disappear before any signs of looseness or pain appear.
The good news is that regular dental exams, professional cleanings, and good oral hygiene practices at home are essential to detecting and managing periodontitis before it causes permanent damage.
How Gum Disease Develops
Our mouths provide a home to millions of bacteria, both beneficial and harmful. Bacterial waste forms a sticky substance called plaque, which adheres to the teeth. Brushing and flossing aim at removing plaque before it mineralizes into tartar. Tartar becomes a colony for more bacteria releasing toxins into the gums.
Gums react to this bacterial invasion with an inflammatory response thanks to your immune system. Around the base of each tooth, there's a small collar of gum tissue that forms a small crevice or pocket. This warm, dark environment provides a perfect habitat for deeper tartar and bacteria to infiltrate.
Early inflammation results in bleeding gums, known as gingivitis. Bacteria left untreated and undisturbed successfully create a chronic infection in the periodontal pocket. In many cases, the bone begins to deteriorate around the teeth. While gums may be slightly tender at this stage, there's generally minimal discomfort as the bone begins to erode.
The bone around teeth never regenerates, so this loss becomes permanent and harder to control as the bacteria hide deeper into the gums. Untreated gum disease leads to abscesses and generalized tooth loss in many advanced cases.
Warning Signs of Gum Disease
Many people have gum disease and don't know it because early stages are painless. Watch for these warning signs and call our Richardson office if you notice them.
Bleeding Gums
Gums that bleed when you brush or floss are not normal. This is often the first sign of gum disease.
Red, Swollen, or Tender Gums
Healthy gums are pink and firm. Inflammation makes them appear red, puffy, and sensitive to touch.
Receding Gums
If your teeth look longer than they used to, your gums may be pulling back due to bone loss underneath.
Persistent Bad Breath
Chronic bad breath or a bad taste in your mouth can indicate bacterial infection in your gums.
Loose Teeth
As bone deteriorates, teeth lose their support and may shift position or feel loose when you touch them.
Changes in Your Bite
If your teeth don't fit together the same way when you bite down, bone loss may be causing them to shift.
How Dr. Morgan Diagnoses Gum Disease
The small collar of gum, or pocket, around each tooth usually sits 2 to 3 millimeters deep, a space easily cleaned by floss or toothpicks. Dr. Morgan or our hygiene team can measure and chart multiple areas using a small measuring device called a periodontal probe. If these measurements are more than 3 millimeters and bleed upon probing, then periodontal disease is present. Deeper readings indicate more advanced disease than shallower readings.
Dr. Morgan will also evaluate the texture and shape of your gums and any movement detectable in each tooth. It's vital to examine the levels, shape, and density of the bone around your teeth on digital X-rays. By collecting all of this data, a clear picture forms about your gum condition.
This comprehensive assessment allows Dr. Morgan to determine the severity of your gum disease and create a personalized treatment plan.
Stopping Gum Disease at Ellem Dental
After establishing a diagnosis defining the severity of gum disease, we can develop a personalized treatment plan.
Mild Gum Disease (Gingivitis)
In milder forms with little or no bone loss, one or two visits with our hygiene team may bring the condition under control. When you leave our office with a strategy for daily home care and an established schedule for maintenance, little additional treatment may be needed. Gingivitis is reversible with proper care.
Moderate to Advanced Gum Disease
If the inflammation has advanced and measurable bone loss is evident, a proactive approach to stop further deterioration should be strongly considered. Often, we will suggest gentle numbing of your gums and a more in-depth cleaning process sometimes called root planing or scaling.
Over a few visits, a portion of your mouth at a time will be deep cleaned. The infected pocket around each tooth, including the mineralized tartar, must be carefully cleaned out with hand and ultrasonic instruments. Polishing the teeth to establish glassy surfaces that help repel stain and plaque accumulation usually finishes this initial therapy.
Ongoing Maintenance
Dr. Morgan may suggest a medicated rinse, an electric or ultrasonic toothbrush, and other specific strategies to help you with your home care routine. Remember, gum disease can be controlled but not cured. Dedicated daily efforts must be consistent to control the disease.
DENTISTRY THAT feels different
At Ellem Dental, exceptional care is our standard. Discover how Dr. Morgan's advanced expertise, personalized service, and commitment to your comfort can transform not just your smile, but your entire dental experience.
We use advanced digital X rays and intraoral cameras with comprehensive screening protocols to detect problems early. This preventive approach helps identify issues before they become painful, complex, or costly.
We're one of the few practices in Richardson with Kois Center-trained doctors, a distinction that represents hundreds of hours studying functional occlusion, esthetics, and evidence-based dentistry. This isn't just continuing education; it's mastery.
Experience truly personalized care with one-on-one consultations with Dr. Morgan and treatment from our team of experts. We don’t rush, and we don’t double-book. When you’re at ELLEM Dental, you’re always our number one priority.
Dental fear keeps too many people from care. We offer multiple sedation levels and comfort amenities so your treatment happens on your terms, relaxed, informed, and in control.
Our doctor and master ceramist will create a 3D model of your proposed new smile, so you can try in and visualize your new smile before committing to treatment.
From the moment you walk through our doors you’ll be met with the serene and spa-like atmosphere of ELLEM Dental. With individual treatment rooms you can sit back and relax in privacy and comfort during your visit.
Diagnostic Precision
We use digital imaging and comprehensive screening protocols that catch problems early. Think of it as preventive intelligence, identifying issues before they become painful or expensive.
We're one of the few practices in Richardson with Kois Center-trained doctors, a distinction that represents hundreds of hours studying functional occlusion, esthetics, and evidence-based dentistry. This isn't just continuing education; it's mastery.
Experience truly personalized care with one-on-one consultations with Dr. Morgan and treatment from our team of experts. We don’t rush, and we don’t double-book. When you’re at ELLEM Dental, you’re always our number one priority.
Dental fear keeps too many people from care. We offer multiple sedation levels and comfort amenities so your treatment happens on your terms, relaxed, informed, and in control.
Our doctor and master ceramist will create a 3D model of your proposed new smile, so you can try in and visualize your new smile before committing to treatment.
From the moment you walk through our doors you’ll be met with the serene and spa-like atmosphere of ELLEM Dental. With individual treatment rooms you can sit back and relax in privacy and comfort during your visit.
FAQS
Common questions about periodontal therapy in Richardson, TX
No, but it is controllable. Once you've had gum disease, you're always susceptible to flare-ups. However, with proper treatment and ongoing maintenance, we can keep the infection under control and prevent further damage.
The deep cleaning process is done with local anesthetic, so you won't feel pain during treatment. You might have some tenderness for a day or two afterward, but most patients say it's much less uncomfortable than they expected.
Unfortunately, bone loss is permanent. However, we can stop further bone loss with proper treatment and maintenance. This is why catching gum disease early is so important.
Have more questions?
Give us a call to speak with one of our friendly team members, and schedule a consultation with Dr. Morgan .
Don’t Wait to Feel Your Best
Get in Touch
Simple secure and safe paid parking located on-site.
Phone
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Address
Get directions
702 West Arapaho Road Ste. 100
Richardson, TX, 75080
Hours
Mon
7:30am - 4:30pm
Tue
7:30am - 4:30pm
Wed
8:00am - 5:00pm
Thu
7:30am - 4:30pm
