If you have one or more missing teeth, your dentist might recommend dental implants . Implants are surgically implanted into the jawbone and provide an artificial replacement for lost teeth. There are three basic parts to a dental implant: the implant itself, the abutment, and the crown.

The dental implant is a small post, typically made of titanium, which the dentist surgically places into the jawbone. After the implant is in place, you’ll wait a period of time for your jawbone to fuse to the implant, holding the implant in the proper position. You may have a temporary crown placed over the implant during this time. When you return to the dentist’s office, an abutment is placed over the portion of the implant that protrudes from the gum line. The abutment is topped with a crown that is custom-designed to fit your smile.

If you have any questions about dental implants, please call University Associates in Dentistry at (312) 704-5511. Our Chicago practice offers the innovative All on 4 dental implant procedure .

Gum disease, or periodontal disease, is a serious dental condition that requires professional treatment. When left untreated, gum disease becomes progressively worse and jeopardizes your oral health. If your dentist diagnoses you with gum disease, ask him or her how you can fight it. You may need to visit your dentist more frequently for checkups and cleanings, for example. Keep reading for an overview of how gum disease can progress when left untreated.

Gingivitis
Gingivitis is another term for the inflammation of the gums. This is the first and mildest stage of gum disease. If you have gingivitis, you’ll notice that your gums bleed easily when you brush and floss. Your gums might also appear more red than usual. Gingivitis occurs when plaque remains on the gum tissues . Your dentist can reverse gingivitis with a professional cleaning. You’ll also receive at-home care instructions for keeping the problem at bay.

Periodontitis
If you do not see your dentist for gingivitis treatment, it will eventually turn into periodontitis. As inflammation continues to affect the gums, they slowly pull away from the teeth and form pockets. These pockets act as traps for food particles and plaque, which allows the infection to delve deeper into the gum tissue. As the infection spreads, the underlying bone structure becomes compromised. To treat periodontitis, your dentist will likely recommend scaling and root planing, which is a deep cleaning procedure to remove the infection. The pockets may also be treated with Arestin®, an antibiotic used to kill bacteria associated with periodontitis. 

Advanced Periodontitis
Untreated periodontitis only becomes worse; the bone and gum tissue continues to deteriorate until your teeth become loose. You’ll notice that your gum line begins to recede. Eventually, you’ll experience tooth loss and will require artificial teeth, such as dental implants. You may also need bone grafting and gum grafting surgeries.

Stop the progression of gum disease promptly with treatments from University Associates in Dentistry . Give us a call at (312) 704-5511 with any questions you might have about scaling and root planing. Our Chicago practice also offers dental implants for those suffering from tooth loss.

Gum disease can lead to serious complications if left untreated. Some of the typical symptoms of gum disease include red and swollen gums. It is possible to have gum disease and not realize it. This is one of the reasons why it’s critical to schedule regular dentist visits so you can have your teeth checked and professionally cleaned.

Watch this video to discover methods of diagnosing and treating gum disease. The expert in this video explains how dentists use a special probe to measure the depth of the pockets between the gum line and the teeth.

Schedule your  dentist  visit today with University Associates in Dentistry of Chicago. You can reach us at (312) 704-5511 or visit our website to learn more about the importance of regular dentist checkups.