When gum disease gets serious, so do the treatments. The problem is that the damage occurs below the gum line, out of the reach of brushing and flossing. Typically, this means some aggressive scaling and root planing at the dentist’s office, and even full-on dental surgery that can cause an uncomfortable recovery.
Dr. Virginia H. Ellis offers a non-invasive alternative here in our Orinda, California, office that extends your arsenal of home care alternatives and complements less aggressive dental office care. We’re here to help take care of all your dental needs, including managing and treating periodontal disease.
Perio Protect® features custom-made dental trays that deliver prescription medication below the gum line, deeper than brushes, dental floss, and even dental rinses can penetrate.
The nature of gum disease
There are two common types of gum disease. The milder form is called gingivitis, while the more severe form is periodontitis. Problems start with the collection of bacteria in your mouth, working its way down between your teeth and gums.
With gingivitis, your gums typically become swollen and red, a reaction to the presence of bacteria. You may notice that your gums bleed easily when you brush or floss, though bleeding usually stops quickly. Your gums may be tender, and your teeth could ache.
Periodontitis is more severe and affects over 60 million adults over age 30 in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). With periodontitis, pockets form between your gum and tooth, providing an ideal home for bacteria. These bacteria can start to attack teeth, gums, and the bone of your jaw.
Since your pockets are well protected, it can be difficult to clear up lingering infections, causing the most serious form of gum disease, chronic periodontitis, to take hold. Oral surgery could be necessary if gum disease progresses to this point.
The Perio Protect System
To beat gum disease, persistent treatment is often necessary to prevent surgical intervention. That’s where the Perio Protect System comes in. The heart of the system is the Perio Tray, a custom-formed dental appliance that looks much like a sports mouthguard or invisible aligner. However, these trays are different in that they’re a delivery system for powerful antibacterial medication.
While it’s simple enough to treat the bacteria responsible for gum disease, keeping medication in place long enough for it to work is a challenge. That’s the secret behind the Perio Trays. You load the tray with the antibacterial medicine and snap it in place. It has a tight, custom fit since the trays are made from impressions of your teeth and gums.
Keeping this medication in contact with the bacteria-prone areas of the teeth and gums for a few minutes every day provides the ongoing, persistent care that beats the effects of the bacteria that cause gum disease. As a bonus, you’ll likely see whiter teeth and fresher breath. Perio Protect offers a simple and effective way to deal with stubborn gum disease in between visits to Dr. Ellis’s office.
You can get started today by calling our office directly or by using the convenient request an appointment form on our website. Learning to use the Perio Protect System is fast and easy, and Dr. Ellis and her team can help get you back to a healthy, happy smile.