What Is Periodontics?
Periodontal disease is a bacterial infection of the structures surrounding the teeth, like the gums and jawbone. Periodontics is thus the branch of dentistry devoted to treating periodontal disease and repairing the resultant damage.
The earliest stage of periodontal disease is called gingivitis and describes an infection that is confined to the gums. Left untreated, it can spread to other tissues. Gingivitis can often be treated with
Patients with full-blown periodontal disease, however, may need more extensive treatments. In some cases, for example, the gums may recede to the point they expose the roots of the teeth. The oral surgeon will have to perform a gum graft in which they use tissue from another part of the patient’s mouth, usually the roof of the mouth, to build up the gum. The surgeon will place a special material around the surgical site to protect it while it heals.
What Is Involved in Getting a Filling?
A filling is a type of dental restoration done to fill in small holes created by tooth decay. After administering a local anesthetic, the dentist in Kamloops, BC, will use special instruments to remove the decayed part of the tooth. They will then fill in the resulting hole with either a white composite resin or a silver amalgam. The latter is more likely used to be on back teeth where it will be less visible. The dentist will smooth the filling so it will feel like a natural part of the patient’s tooth.
Inlays and onlays are used to treat larger and more severe cavities. They are also custom-made in a dental lab. After removing the decayed part of the tooth, the dentist will take an impression of the tooth and send it to a dental lab. They will then place a temporary filling in the tooth while they wait for the inlay or onlay.
To schedule an appointment with a dentist in Kamloops, BC, contact Riverside Dental Clinic or visit the website
