What Does a Periodontist Do for Bone Loss?

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Periodontists are like superheroes for your gums and bones.

If your teeth are feeling loose or your gums are receding, a periodontist can step in to save the day.

These specialists focus on treating bone loss caused by gum disease, helping restore your smile and overall oral health. 

In this blog, we will explore how bone loss happens, what periodontists can do to fix it, and why catching it early can make all the difference.

Table of Contents

• The Connection Between Periodontal Disease and Bone Loss
• What Does a Periodontist Do?
  • Procedures a Periodontist Uses for Bone Loss
• Why Early Intervention Matters
• Signs You Need to See a Periodontist
• Benefits of Periodontal Treatment
• Protect Your Teeth from Bone Loss—Book an Appointment with a Periodontist in Highlands Ranch!
• FAQs

The Connection Between Periodontal Disease and Bone Loss

Periodontal disease is an infection of the gums and soft tissues surrounding your teeth.

It begins with bacterial infections that cause inflammation and can eventually lead to bone loss around the teeth.

When gum disease progresses to a severe form, such as advanced periodontitis, the supporting bone around your teeth begins to break down.

This can result in tooth loss or the need for tooth extraction. The bone in your jaw can weaken and resorb over time, making it harder for your teeth to stay in place.

• Bone resorption: This refers to the process where the bone tissue deteriorates due to bacterial infections and lack of stimulation.
• Gum recession: When the gums recede, the bone supporting the teeth becomes exposed and more vulnerable to damage.
• Loss of bone mass: As bone tissue deteriorates, it loses density and becomes fragile.

What Does a Periodontist Do?

A periodontist is a dental professional who specializes in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of periodontal diseases.

They focus on the health of your gums, soft tissues, and bone tissue. If you are experiencing bone loss, a periodontist can create a treatment plan that may involve one or more procedures to restore your oral health.

Procedures a Periodontist Uses for Bone Loss

• Bone grafting: This procedure involves adding bone graft material to the affected area to regenerate lost bone. The material may be natural bone, synthetic bone, or a combination of both.
• Dental implants: Dental implants can be placed to restore lost teeth. These implants require a stable base of bone tissue.
• Ridge augmentation: This procedure helps restore bone volume in areas where it has been lost, especially before placing dental implants.
• Sinus lift (augmentation): If the bone loss is in the upper jaw, a sinus lift may be performed to add bone material to support dental implants.
• Tissue regeneration: This procedure helps promote the growth of new bone and tissue using growth factors and other regenerative techniques.

Why Early Intervention Matters

If you catch periodontal disease early, treatment options become more effective, and bone loss can be minimized.

Early intervention can prevent the disease from advancing to the stage of severe gum disease, which leads to more complicated procedures like tooth extractions and major bone grafting.

• Prevent tooth loss: By treating gum disease early, you can prevent tooth loss and the need for costly treatments like dental implants.
• Preserve bone tissue: Early treatment preserves the bone tissue around your teeth, reducing the need for extensive bone grafting later on.
• Avoid costly treatments: Treating gum disease early is more affordable and less invasive than waiting until the disease has caused significant damage.

Signs You Need to See a Periodontist

Periodontal disease often progresses without obvious symptoms, so it is important to be aware of the warning signs.

If you notice any of these symptoms, it is time to see a periodontist:

• Loose teeth: If your teeth feel loose or shift in your mouth, this could be a sign of bone loss.
• Gum recession: When your gums recede, the bone underneath can become exposed and vulnerable.
• Deep pockets: When the spaces between your gums and teeth get deeper, bacteria can thrive, leading to bone loss.
• Bad breath: Persistent bad breath or a bad taste in your mouth can indicate a gum infection.
• Painful gums: Swollen, tender, or bleeding gums are often signs of gum disease.

Benefits of Periodontal Treatment

Seeing a periodontist for early treatment of gum disease can offer many benefits. Some of the most important benefits include:

• Prevent further bone loss: A periodontist can treat the infection and prevent further damage to your bone tissue.
• Restore gum health: Periodontal treatments restore gum tissue, preventing gum recession and bone exposure.
• Improve oral health: Proper treatment can help reduce plaque buildup and keep your teeth and gums healthy.
• Enhance smile appearance: Restoring lost bone and tissue helps preserve the appearance of your smile.

Protect Your Teeth from Bone Loss—Book an Appointment with a Periodontist in Highlands Ranch!

If you have been struggling with gum disease, bone loss, or loose teeth, it is important to seek the help of a skilled periodontist. Early treatment can make a big difference in preserving your teeth, bone structure, and overall oral health.

Book an appointment at our periodontal clinic in Highlands Ranch, CO, to explore your treatment options. Our expert periodontists Dr. Norouzinia and Dr. Kerri Font, can help you develop a personalized treatment plan for restoring your bone and gum health.

To book an appointment call (303) 683-1144 or complete the online booking form. Our office is located at 9090 S Ridgeline Blvd #225, Highlands Ranch, CO.

FAQs