Periodontics

Periodontal Disease

ADSI specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of periodontal diseases. Periodontal disease (also known as pyorrhea or gum disease) occurs when bacteria infect the gums and bone around teeth causing these tissues to deteriorate and the teeth become loose and eventually lost if untreated. This disease is painless but symptoms such as bleeding gums, loose teeth, and bad taste and/or breath can occur. Periodontal disease is irreversible but can be stabilized and maintained with treatment. In some cases, reattachment of tissue or bone can and does occur with treatment.

Periodontal disease is also associated with heart disease and premature and low-birth weight infants. In cases of heart disease, medical surgeons often strongly recommend that if periodontal disease is present, that it be treated prior to cardiac treatment in order to remove periodontal bacteria that may compromise short and long-term cardiac treatment and therapy.

If periodontal disease occurs in pregnant mothers, it is best to be treated in the second trimester when infant development has slowed down. There are few risks to periodontal treatment during pregnancy, which are outweighed by the risks of not treating the periodontal disease through pregnancy and delivery. Possible risks are limited to the use of local anesthetics, which should be used conservatively. At ADSI, we take every precaution necessary, and will work with the patient and the OB-GYN physician to produce the best outcome with the fewest risks.