What is Periodontal Disease?

Our specialty, periodontics, focuses on the foundations that support your teeth: your gums and bone substructure. Periodontal disease affects the gums and bone. If untreated, it can lead to tooth loss.

The 3 Stages of Periodontal Disease

Gingivitis – Bacteria and plaque attack the gums, causing them to swell and bleed and creating “pockets” between tooth and gum that trap food particles. If caught at this stage, we usually can reverse the disease.

Periodontitis – Toxins destroy tissues that anchor teeth into bone, causing deepening of gum pockets. We typically can halt the disease’s progression and stop further damage.

Advanced Periodontitis – Teeth may fall out or have to be extracted as a result of continued degradation of supportive tooth tissues. At this stage, we must take major steps to mitigate the disease.