Advanced stages of gum disease, known as periodontitis, can cause some serious issues. Bacteria travel below your inflamed gums and cause gum recession as well as infections in your teeth and jawbone.
Your teeth may even become loose or fall out altogether. Treatment is required to stop the effects of gum disease, clear it up and allow your gums to heal. A perioscopy can greatly aid in this process.
Perioscopy
Traditionally, severe cases of gum disease require surgery in order to access all affected areas of your teeth and clear away tartar and bacteria. Surgery is invasive. A perioscopy eliminates the need for surgery. A small dental endoscope, equipped with video, lighting and magnification capabilities is placed below the gum line. This camera allows your dentist to see even the tiniest details that could otherwise be missed.
How Does It Work?
After a local anesthetic, your dentist will place the endoscope below your gums. It is then moved gently across the surface of the tooth roots, removing plaque and bacteria buildup. Water is also used to flush the pockets. Finally, special tools are used to remove mineralized deposits. Once done, your gums are left to begin healing.
Benefits Of Perioscopy
There are a number of benefits to a perioscopy:
- It is a minimally-invasive, non-surgical treatment option.
- There is less tissue trauma, as your gums do not need to be cut and manipulated.
- There is less discomfort involved than with surgery.
- Your dentist can more easily detect and remove tartar that might not otherwise be noticed.
- More accurate, complete debridement of teeth, which provides a path for better healing.
- The endoscope can also be used for early detection of other dental issues, such as decay, cracks and fractures. This then allows for preventative measures to be taken before the problem becomes serious.