Gum Disease is a Common, Yet Damaging Condition
Gum (periodontal) disease is an infection of the hard and soft tissues of the mouth, affecting nearly half of American adults to some degree. The beginning stage of gum disease is called gingivitis and can be cured if caught and treated early. If left untreated, gingivitis can advance to periodontitis and advanced periodontitis. This is an incurable condition that can cause oral complications, such as loose teeth, jaw bone deterioration and tooth loss. Research has also linked gum disease to systemic health issues, like heart disease, stroke and dementia. By seeking gum disease treatment early, you are ensuring a healthy oral structure and preventing disease from spreading throughout your body. If you have been diagnosed with gum disease, our skilled periodontists are able to eliminate the infection and save your smile.
Watch VideoCommon Symptoms of Gum Disease
- Red, inflamed, or swollen gums
- Bleeding gums when brushing or flossing
- Constant bad breath (halitosis)
- Gum recession or exposed tooth roots
- Sensitivity to hot or cold beverages
- Loose or shifting teeth
Why Choose a Periodontist?
Drs. Robert and Michael Jaffin and Akshay Kumar are board-certified periodontists, and experts in the hard and soft tissues of the mouth (gums and bone). Identification and treatment of gum disease is a routine procedure for us and we feature many time-tested and advanced therapies. Our doctors are members of many professional societies, including the American Academy of Periodontology and American Society for Preventative Dentistry, as well as world renown lecturers and authors. With our skills, experience and expertise, we are able to treat your gum disease in an effective manner to give you long-lasting results. After our treatments, your dentist will be able to perform routine periodontal maintenance to ensure your gums and teeth stay healthy.
Effective Gum Disease Treatments
At Affiliated Periodontists of North Jersey, we offer the most effective treatments for all stages of gum disease, including state-of-the-art laser therapy. We strive to eliminate the root cause of disease and restore the healthy structures for long term results. After an in-depth consultation with our team, we will be able to create the most effective treatment plan for you.
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Laser Gum Therapy
Our practice features the revolutionary REPAIR Perio™ protocol utilizing the BIOLASE® WaterLase® Express dental laser as a minimally invasive approach to gum disease treatment. With our laser, we can eliminate gum disease-causing bacteria without the need of scalpels or sutures and with minimal pain and bleeding.
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Osseous Surgery
The traditional and time-tested approach to gum disease treatment, osseous surgery involves surgically removing infected gum tissue, a deep cleaning of the tooth roots to remove bacteria, reshaping damaged jaw bone and suturing healthy gums back to the teeth. While osseous surgery is effective at eliminating gum disease, many patients choose the less invasive laser gum therapy.
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Scaling and Root Planing
During any gum disease treatment, we will perform scaling and root planing to remove plaque and bacteria with specialized instruments. For those suffering from periodontitis or advanced periodontitis, this treatment should be performed regularly by your dentist as part of routine periodontal maintenance.
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Soft Tissue Recontouring
While a gummy smile presents aesthetic concerns for some, the excess gum tissue also hides bacteria, which can cause gum disease. We are able to gently remove the excess tissue to not only improve the look of your smile, but also minimize the places for bacteria to thrive and develop into gum disease.
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Gingivectomy
When gum tissue becomes infected, we can surgically remove the affected area to restore health to your mouth. After infected tissue is removed, we will carefully suture the gums back to the teeth for reattachment.
