Gum Disease Treatment in Johannesburg
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Healthy gums hold your teeth in place. Gum disease is one of the most common causes of tooth loss in adults, yet in its early stages it is painless and easy to miss. At Melrose Advanced Dentistry in Johannesburg North, we diagnose and treat gum disease at every stage, and a periodontist is joining our team to treat more advanced cases in-house.
What Is Periodontics?
Periodontics is the area of dentistry that deals with the gums and the bone supporting your teeth. It covers the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of gum disease, as well as the care of gums around dental implants.
Gingivitis
Gingivitis is the earliest stage of gum disease. Plaque along the gumline causes red, swollen gums that bleed when you brush or floss. Gingivitis can be fully reversed with a professional clean and better home care.
Periodontitis
If gingivitis isn’t treated, it can progress to periodontitis. The infection spreads below the gumline, damaging the bone and fibres that hold your teeth, and pockets form between the teeth and gums. Without treatment, teeth can loosen and eventually be lost.
- Gums that bleed when you brush or floss
- Red, swollen or tender gums
- Persistent bad breath or a bad taste
- Gums pulling back from the teeth
- Loose or shifting teeth
- Pus between the teeth and gums
- Changes in your bite
If you notice any of these signs, book an assessment. The earlier gum disease is treated, the simpler the treatment.
Who Is at Higher Risk
Anyone can develop gum disease, but the risk is higher for people who:
- Smoke
- Have diabetes
- Are pregnant
- Have a family history of gum disease
- Have crowded teeth that are hard to clean
- Have had gum disease before
Read more in our articles on gum disease and bleeding gums.
Gum Assessment
We measure the depth of the spaces between your teeth and gums and take X-rays to check the bone level. This shows how far the disease has progressed and which teeth are affected.
Deep Cleaning (Scaling and Root Planing)
For most patients, the first step is a deep clean below the gumline to remove the hardened plaque and bacteria causing the infection. The root surfaces are smoothed so the gums can heal and reattach. We use local anaesthetic, so treatment is comfortable.
Advanced Gum Treatment
Where deep pockets or bone loss remain after cleaning, further periodontal treatment may be needed. Surgical gum procedures can be done with in-house sedation, which we provide for all surgical and implant procedures, and we claim directly from your medical aid for surgical treatment.
Keeping Gums Healthy
Gum disease is controlled, not cured, so regular maintenance visits are important. We will set up a cleaning schedule, usually every three to six months, to keep the infection from coming back. See our check-ups and cleaning page for more.
Gum Health and Implants
Healthy gums are essential before and after dental implants. We treat any gum disease before placing implants and monitor the gums around them to protect your investment.