Gum Disease Treatment - Conway, AR
Healthy Gums Form the Foundation for Optimal Smiles
Prompt Treatment for Ailing Gums is Essential for Forever Teeth
If your gums bleed when you brush or floss, you may be among the nearly 50% of adults with some form of gum disease. Caused by plaque buildup, this infection can progress from gingivitis to periodontitis if left untreated, leading to pain and even tooth loss.
The key to prevention is early intervention through professional gingivitis treatment. At Conway Dental Co., Dr. Stuart Sherwood and Dr. Steve Pascoe offer gentle, nonsurgical gum care in Conway, AR, to stop gum disease in its tracks and protect your oral health.
Know the Warning Signs of Gum Disease
- Red, swollen, or tender gums
- Bleeding when brushing or flossing
- Persistent bad breath or taste
- Receding gums or teeth appearing longer
- Loose, shifting, or separating teeth
- Pain or tooth sensitivity when chewing
- Pus or pockets forming between teeth and gums
Healing Gum Disease Treatment Reverses Inflammation
Save Your Smile with Restorative Gum Disease Treatment
Scaling and root planing in Conway, AR, is the first-line treatment for gum disease. During scaling, plaque and tartar are removed from teeth below your gumline. After thoroughly cleaning the tooth surface, planing removes any remaining tartar and smooths the roots of your teeth. This two-part procedure reduces the risk of future bacterial buildup and the recurrence of gum disease.
If a tooth is decayed or broken below the gumline, crown lengthening exposes more of the structure to place a crown or bridge. Our dentists in Conway, AR, gently reshape your gum and bone tissue to uncover more of the damaged tooth. Crown lengthening can also be done for aesthetic purposes to improve the appearance of a gummy smile (excessive gum tissue).
Receding gum tissue can expose tooth roots, leading to decay, sensitivity, and bone loss. Gingival grafts in Conway, AR, treat gum recession by replacing lost gum tissue around impacted teeth. The donor graft is often taken from the roof of the mouth, then gently stitched into place after numbing the area. During healing, new blood vessels grow into the graft and help it integrate with existing tissue.
A frenectomy in Conway, AR, is a minor surgical procedure that removes or modifies frenums—the lower and upper small folds of soft mouth tissue. A lingual frenectomy (tongue-tie surgery) treats a restrictive frenum under the tongue to improve feeding in infants and speech in children. A labial frenectomy modifies the frenum between the upper lip and gums to prevent front teeth gaps and gum recession.
A gingivectomy involves removing or reshaping excess gum tissue with a laser or a scalpel. As with crown lengthening, this procedure can expose more of a tooth crown for restorative purposes or to treat gummy smiles. It may also be performed to reduce periodontal pockets and facilitate proper brushing and flossing.
The Chao Pinhole® Surgical Technique is an innovative, minimally invasive method for treating gum recession. Unlike traditional gum grafting, this procedure requires no incisions, sutures, or grafts. Instead, a small pinhole is made in your gums, then existing tissue is repositioned using specialized instruments. Collagen strips are placed to support and stabilize the repositioned soft tissue.
