Periodontal Disease
Periodontal (gum) disease, including gingivitis and periodontitis, is a serious infection that, left untreated, can lead to tooth loss.

What Causes Periodontal Disease. 
The main cause of periodontal disease is bacterial plaque, a sticky, colorless film that constantly forms on your teeth. However, factors like the following also affect the health of your gums.

• Smoking/Tobacco Use.
• Stress
• Genetics
• Pregnancy and Puberty
• Medications
• Clenching or Grinding Your Teeth
• Diabetes
• Poor nutrition
• Other Systemic Diseases

Types of Periodontal Disease

Gingivitis
Gingivitis is the mildest form of periodontal disease. It causes the gums to become red, swollen, and bleed easily. There is usually little or no discomfort at this stage. Gingivitis is reversible with professional treatment and good at home oral care. 

Mild Periodontitis
 If gingivitis, the mildest form of periodontal disease, is left untreated, it can advance to periodontitis. In the mild stage, periodontal diseases begin to destroy the bone and tissue that support the teeth.

Moderate to Advanced Periodontitis
Moderate to advanced periodontitis develops if earlier forms of the disease like gingivitis and mild periodontitis are left untreated. This is the most advanced form of the disease in which extensive bone and tissue loss occurs. 

Juvenile Periodontitis
Localized juvenile periodontitis (LJP) occurs in adolescents and is characterized by the rapid loss of bone around permanent teeth. Ironically, youngsters with LJP form very little dental plaque or tartar. Generalized juvenile periodontitis is often considered a disease of young adults, although it can begin around puberty.

Methods of Periodontal Disease Treatment
Periodontal disease treatment or surgery is necessary the periodontist determines that the tissue around your teeth is unhealthy and cannot be repaired with non-surgical treatment.
Depending on the severity of your periodontal disease, some of the following periodontal disease treatments may be prescribed:

• Pocket reduction
• Regenerative Procedures
• Soft Tissue grafts
• Crown Lengthening
• Dental Implants

Periodontal Cosmetic Surgery
Now people can turn to cosmetic dentistry as a away to improve their smile. This not only improves their appearance, but their self-confidence and image as well.

Some of the periodontal procedures we can help you with for in Lorenzana Dental Center include:

Crown Lengthening
Is a procedure that essentially makes a tooth appear longer. Ideally used to eliminate a gummy smile or baby teeth looking smile. It is also used when a tooth breaks, or if there is severe decay. Regardless of the reason, without  crown lengthening, the remaining healthy tooth area is reduce and this can affect the potential for successful tooth restoration. With crown lengthening, more of the tooth’s surface is exposed to act as an anchor for future cosmetic work.

Receding Gum Treatments.  
Receding gums are not only unattractive, but also one of the warning signs of periodontal disease. An uneven gum-line can also make the teeth appear to have different lengths, which takes away from the appearance of an attractive smile. We can help correct this through receding gum treatments.

Gum Grafts
While primarily used to combat periodontal gum disease, using gum grafts for cosmetic dentistry can help provide a healthier looking smile and gum line. Gum grafts can be done for one tooth or several teeth to even your gum line and improve the esthetics of your smile.

Periodontal Preventive

Prophylaxis (Routine dental cleanings)
Is defined as scaling and polishing, removing calculus, soft deposits, plaque and stains from the teeth.  A dentist assist’s our patient in the maintenance of their oral health with check ups and cleanings.

Other treatments
Fluoride topical application, tooth brushing, dental flossing instructions, and fluoride rinses are part of our preventive program.