Gum Disease Therapy

Gum disease is a fairly common condition that affects the gum tissue surrounding the teeth, the supporting ligaments, and even the bone structure in the jaw. As gum disease progresses, it becomes increasingly destructive. 

When you visit our team at Oakton Family Dentistry, we check your smile for the presence of gum disease at every visit and alert you if the condition is present. While gum disease can be treated at home with proper brushing and flossing in its first stage, once it advances, it becomes incurable. Our team prioritizes your health and works hard to ensure your entire family has a healthy smile for life. 

If you have gum disease or are suffering from the symptoms of the condition, we invite you to learn more by reading below. Knowledge is a powerful resource, and it can give you the opportunity to fight back and make an impactful decision for your smile going forward. 

Call our office in Fairfax, VA, today to schedule an appointment for a gum disease evaluation or treatment for recessive gum tissue.

Signs & Symptoms Of Gum Disease

There are three stages of gum disease, each becoming more severe as the condition progresses.

• Gingivitis – This is the earliest form of gum disease and is characterized by swollen,  tender gums. You may also notice bleeding when you floss and some gum recession. As the gum continues to recede, pockets form between the gums and teeth and advance into the next stage.
• Periodontitis – During this stage, the condition becomes incurable. As the disease has reached the bone structure beneath the gum line, the bone becomes damaged as a result of bacterial accumulation. You may notice further gum recession (teeth will appear longer), bad breath, swelling, and soreness in the gums.
• Advanced periodontitis – In its final stage, the bone will continue to be attacked, and supporting ligaments will pull away from the teeth. This can cause loosening of the teeth and complete tooth loss. You may also notice pus and blood along the gum line and pain affecting the teeth and gum tissue.

Chao Pinhole® Technique

Our practice provides the Chao Pinhole technique to treat gum recession caused by gum disease. When gum recession continues to progress, this gives the disease and harmful bacteria more opportunity to attack the bone structure and worsen. 

While many practices would offer to manage this by performing a gum graft, the Chao Pinhole surgery is much less invasive and proven effective in producing incredible results. While a gum graft involves scalpels, scarring, and stitching, the Chao Pinhole technique only necessitates a small hole being made in the gum tissue. This means much less discomfort and an easier, faster recovery.

• A small hole is made in the gum tissue near the recessed area.
• Using a special tool, the gum tissue is loosened and manipulated to cover more of the exposed tooth.
• During recovery, you can expect little discomfort and swelling. For six weeks, you will need to avoid brushing the area and follow aftercare instructions carefully.