Cosmetic Periodontics Charleston

Combat Periodontal Disease

With more than three million cases reported each year, periodontal disease is one of the most common conditions in the United States. Dr. Rink offers cosmetic periodontic treatment at his Charleston, SC, practice, restoring your oral health and helping you achieve a dazzling smile. Contact us today to learn how we can help you protect against the damaging effects of periodontal disease, and how to receive the best care for cosmetic periodontics Charleston has available.

What is Periodontal Disease?

Periodontal disease is an infection of the tooth’s supporting structures, including the gums, roots, and pulp. Which we treat at our office in Charleston offering cosmetic periodontics. Naturally, the mouth is home to bacteria, which thrive on any food debris they can find. Though non-threatening for the most part, these opportunistic organisms can cause a great deal of damage if given the chance. Over time, the acid from bacteria can inflame the surrounding tissue. When combined with food debris, this acid forms a hard, colorless material called plaque.

Plaque collects on the teeth, resulting in gum inflammation, referred to as gingivitis or gum disease. While it can cause sensitive gums to bleed, this disease is mildly uncomfortable and easily treatable.

If left on the teeth for too long, however, gingivitis can cause the gums to pull away from the teeth, allowing bacteria greater access to the tissue beneath the gum line. Once these deeper tissues are infected, the disease advances into periodontitis. Although your immune system can fight against the bacteria, long-term damage could result in tooth loss or a reduction in jawbone density.

What are the symptoms?

Signs of periodontal disease are often so mild that patients do not notice them. As a result, it can be hard to detect and treat without regular dental appointments. Some of the more common symptoms include:

Lingering bad breath
Red or swollen gums
Tender or bleeding gums
Pain when chewing
Sensitive or loose teeth
Receding gums

Learn more about our cosmetic periodontics in Charleston.

What are the treatment options

Depending on how advanced the periodontal disease is, we may suggest a number of different treatment options:

Mild to moderate: At-home and preventive solutions are usually enough to control gingivitis and milder periodontitis in the early stages. Regular brushing and flossing helps loosen plaque, and routine dental visits can reduce missed debris. If necessary, we can prescribe special mouthwash that prevents bacteria from attaching to the teeth, or antibiotics.

Moderate to severe: Deep cleaning is the traditional treatment for more advanced forms of periodontitis. Deep cleaning consists of two procedures: scaling and root planing. During scaling, we scrape away the plaque above and below the gum line to eradicate bacteria. During root planing, the surfaces of the tooth roots are smoothed. This removes nooks for bacteria to grow. While scaling and root planing are typically combined, less severe cases may require only scaling.

Severe: If the infection is severe, gum surgery may be necessary to repair the damage. Procedures could include crown-lengthening to remove infected pockets of tissue, soft tissue grafts to cover tooth roots and reduce gum recession, bone grafting to increase jawbone density, and tooth extractions. Ultimately, we recommend coming in for a consultation for some of the best Charleston periodontics treatments available.

What are the benefits of treatment?

Improved aesthetic appeal
Improved dental function
Improved oral hygiene
Improved enjoyment of foods
Healing of the gums

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Who is a good candidate?

Not only does preventive care protect against oral health conditions and problems, but it is a required step if you are about to undergo a cosmetic or restorative dentistry procedure, such as gum contouring, dental implants, or placing a dental crown.

If it is determined that you have periodontal disease during your initial examination or consultation, you will need to be treated first. Your treatment will be based on the level of disease severity. Dr. Rink will review these steps with you during your consultation.

Why choose Dr. Rink at the Charleston Center for Cosmetic and Restorative Dentistry?

Dr. Rink is an accredited member of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, and has undergone rigorous training and vetting in his field. He earned his dental degree as well as his undergraduate degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and went on to pursue a demanding fellowship in implant dentistry at The Bowman-Gray School of Medicine.

As a dentist in Charleston, SC, Dr. Rink is known for going above and beyond to create a comfortable and enjoyable treatment experience for his patients including working to ensure the office is outfitted with the most advanced technology on the market. Dr. Rink has worked hard to make his office environment a second home for patients. Dr. Rink has quickly become one of Charleston's most sought-after cosmetic dentists.