Gum disease will affect both your oral health and your healthy smile. Gum disease, or periodontal disease, is a quite common dental issue that negatively impacts the health of many Americans. Without timely and proper professional treatment, gum disease can cause significant bone deterioration in the jaw, leading to tooth loss and numerous other concerning effects.
A New Non-Surgical Option to Treat Gum Disease
In the beginning stages, periodontal disease can be quickly and simply treated with professional cleaning. The treatment of more moderate or advanced periodontal disease is now more complex and the gum damage is more difficult to reverse. At this point, the focus of the treatment is to eliminate the source of the infection and prevent further deterioration. Initial treatment, called deep cleaning or scaling and root planing, involves removing tartar and calculus deposits, the source of the bacteria, from below the gumline. Although this method is effective, it quite often can result in some residual deposits left in the deep periodontal pockets from the inability to see under the gumline during the cleaning. This usually meant more aggressive treatment involving gum surgery. Now, with the introduction of the perioscope, which features a miniature digital video camera, it enables your dentist to diagnose and successfully treat specific areas below the gumline without the discomfort and inconvenience of gum surgery. Now your dental team, using the dental perioscope, can see magnified and illuminated details of tooth anatomy, tartar and calculus deposits below the gumline to treat your periodontal disease in a minimally-invasive treatment.
The Perioscope Procedure
A tiny, miniature camera is attached to a small fiber optic probe and then gently placed below your gumline. The images are immediately displayed on a chairside video monitor for your dental team to see. The dental perioscope provides up to 45x magnification and reveals minute details under the gums that, before the advent of this advanced technology, was easily missed. Using this device, your dentist and hygienist are able to see under the gumline and achieve a very thorough and successful cleaning, which promotes and accelerates healing and prevents further damage.
Does a Periscope Hurt?
There is very little, if any discomfort during or after the use of a perioscope for your gum treatment. Your dental team will take the appropriate steps to ensure your comfort, such as the administration of a local anesthetic.
The Benefits of a Perioscope
Perioscope-assisted gum disease treatments can offer a variety of benefits including:
* Offers a minimally invasive approach to gum tissue treatment.
* There is very little downtime through the healing process.
* Helps to improve your periodontal health.
* Reduces or eliminates the need for gum surgery.
* Does not involve incisions or sutures.
* Enhances the successful effectiveness of your gum disease treatment.
* Can be a cost-effective alternative to a surgical approach.
Are You a Candidate for Perioscopy?
When it comes to treating gum disease, seeing your dentist for professional care early can reduce your risk of gum recession, tooth loss, and other serious concerns. If you have inflamed, bleeding gums, bad breath, or other indicators of gum disease, you might be a candidate for periodontal treatment with the use of a perioscope.