Periodontal Fee Guide
Diabetes
Diabetes is a disease that causes altered levels of sugar in the blood. Diabetes develops from either a deficiency in insulin production (a hormone that is the key component in the body's ability to use blood sugars) or the body's inability to use insulin correctly. Many people have diabetes; however, more than half have not been diagnosed with this disease. If you are diabetic, you are at higher risk for developing infections, including periodontal diseases. These infections can impair the ability to process and/or utilize insulin, which may cause your diabetes to be more difficult to control and your infection to be more severe than a non-diabetic.
Treatment of Periodontal Disease
Non-Surgical Treatment
Periodontal health should be achieved in the least invasive and most cost-effective manner. This is often accomplished through non-surgical periodontal treatment, including deep scaling and root planing (a careful cleaning of the root surfaces to remove plaque and calculus [tartar] from deep periodontal pockets and to smooth the tooth root to remove bacterial toxins), followed by adjunctive therapy such as local or systemic antimicrobials, as required on a case-bycase basis.
What are the benefits of non-surgical treatment?
Upon completion of initial non-surgical treatment, you may experience an initial increase in tooth sensitivity and the gums may recede to a healthier state during the healing phase. The sensitivity usually subsides within a few weeks and can be treated if necessary. The majority of patients will require ongoing longterm non-surgical maintenance therapy to sustain health as demonstrated in numerous clinical studies.
Periodontal Surgery
Your bone and gum tissue should fit snugly around your teeth like a turtleneck around your neck. When you have periodontal disease, this supporting tissue and bone is destroyed and pockets develop. Eventually, if too much bone is lost, the teeth will need to be extracted. Your periodontist may recommend a regenerative procedure when the bone supporting your teeth has been destroyed. These procedures can reverse some of the damage by regenerating lost bone and tissue. During this procedure, your periodontist folds back the gum tissue and removes the disease-causing bacteria. Membranes (filters), bone grafts or tissue-stimulating proteins can be used to encourage your body’s natural ability to regenerate bone and tissue.
There are many options to enhance support for your teeth and to restore your bone to a healthy level. Your periodontist will discuss your best options with you.
What are the benefits of Periodontal Surgery?
Eliminating existing bacteria and regenerating bone and tissue helps to reduce pocket depth and repair damage caused by progression of periodontal disease. With a combination of daily oral hygiene and professional maintenance care, you’ll increase the chances of keeping your natural teeth - and decrease the chances of serious health problems associated with periodontal disease.
Why has your dentist referred you?
Periodontal treatment can be a complicated and demanding procedure. Your dentist has decided it is in your best interest to have your periodontal treatment carried out by a periodontist who has the particular expertise and equipment to carry out these procedures.
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