Gum Disease Treatment
We will make sure that you understand the situation before we begin your gum treatment.
How we help you stop gum disease
The cause of gum disease is primarily the presence of bacteria. Therefore, Dr. Zabek offers non-surgical treatment to remove the bacteria in cases of mild to intermediate gum disease. This is done by means of Scaling and Root Planing (or "Deep Cleaning"). We take care to keep this procedure painless, while still remaining thorough.
Because one cannot see inside the deep pockets, Deep Cleaning is done by feel and while it eliminates a large portion of the bacteria and "barnacles" attached to the root, it is not possible to locate all of them.
Therefore, in addition to Deep Cleaning we use Arestin® therapy to help rid your gums of infectious bacteria. Arestin therapy is accomplished by placing a special antibiotic in the deep pockets under the gum where bacteria accumulates. Arestin therapy greatly reduces the chances of further progression of the gum disease.
Do you have gum disease?
Factors that contribute to gum disease include poor oral hygiene, irregular professional dental cleanings, smoking or chewing tobacco, certain medications, defective fillings, crooked teeth and systemic diseases.
Warning signs of gum disease are:
Gums that bleed during tooth brushing - Gums that have pulled away from the teeth
- Persistent bad breath or bad taste
- Permanent teeth that are loose or separating
- Any change in the way your teeth fit together when you bite
A healthy lifestyle, regular brushing and flossing, and regular visits to the dentist for cleanings are the best way to keep your gums healthy and to avoid gum disease.
What is gum disease and what causes it?
Gum disease is the #1 cause of adult tooth loss in the US!
Gum disease is caused by bacteria in your mouth.
In a healthy state, the gums around your teeth are tight, pink, do not bleed when they are gently probed, and there is little space between the gums and the teeth for bacteria to build up.
If the bacteria are not removed effectively, the first stage of gum disease is that your gums can start to bleed and may become red and swollen (gingivitis). This may not be readily visible, especially in between and around the back teeth, but the space between the gums and teeth becomes bigger. The bacteria now have somewhere to hide.
As the space (pocket) deepens, the bacteria change in nature and become more aggressive. Your body starts to fight this infection.
The combination of the bacteria and your body's response to them, leads to a loss of the bone that supports the teeth. This is periodontal disease or periodontitis (periodontitis — a word that comes from the combination of the smaller words: "per" meaning around, "dont" meaning tooth and "itis" meaning inflammation or infection).
Therefore, the most important thing to do is correctly diagnose the presence and severity of gum disease. We test your gums for signs of gum disease and severity and then an appropriate plan can be made to prevent the spread and progression of the disease.
To schedule an appointment with Dr. Zabek, please call us at (888) 615-1378 or request an appointment online.
Patient Testimonials
“Dr. Zabek has been my dentist for my entire adult life, nearly 30 years.
“When I first started seeing him my gums were bloody and my teeth were yellow. Now when I go in for my appointments they can't find anything to clean.
“Dr Z & his staff completely turned my dental health around, not only with their care in the office, but educating me about taking care of it myself and giving me the tools I need to keep it up.
“Thanks Dr. Z!”– David P.
“Dr. Gregory Zabek has a great chairside manner, is very gentle, and has not hurt me once, through three crowns and numerous old filling replacements. Some of his jokes are corny, but that’s the way I like them! Even though I live in Berkeley, I come into the city for his ministrations, his intellect and his good humor. Great guy, I recommend him very highly!!” – Ben M.
Read more Patient Testimonials from San Francisco Dentist Greg Zabek.
To schedule an appointment with Dr. Zabek, please call us at (888) 615-1378 or request an appointment online.