Periodontitis, or gum disease, happens when your gums become infected and inflamed. Left untreated, periodontitis can lead to major problems, such as loose teeth and progressive bone damage. At Kriebel Dental, our U.S.-trained and U.S.-educated dentists offer affordable, state-of-the-art periodontitis treatment in beautiful San Jose, Costa Rica.
Contact us today for your free consultation“Periodontitis” literally means inflammation around the teeth. It happens when plaque and bacteria accumulate on your teeth and gums, causing an infection. Your immune system reacts and makes your gums inflamed and tender. Untreated periodontitis will become progressively worse. There are several stages to the disease:
1. Gingivitis. Gingivitis is the first stage of periodontitis. It is characterized by mild inflammation where the teeth meet the gums. If you have gingivitis, your gums may seem puffy, bright red, and bleed easily when you floss or brush your teeth. You may also notice some discoloration on the teeth, which is a sign of plaque.
2. Early periodontitis. Ongoing inflammation causes the gum tissue to pull away, or recede, from your teeth. Small pockets develop between the gums and teeth (periodontal pockets), which allows more bacteria to flourish. Your immune system continues to fight the infection, worsening the inflammation.
3. Moderate periodontitis. The gums continue to recede and the periodontal pockets deepen. Receding gums can cause your teeth to be more sensitive and affect the appearance of your smile. The infection starts to cause a loss of bone tissue, which can make your teeth feel loose. With moderate periodontitis, you may experience both bleeding and pain around your teeth. 4. Advanced periodontitis. In advanced periodontitis, the connective tissue holding your teeth in place begins to break down, and bone loss continues. This leads to pain while chewing, bad breath, and a foul taste in your mouth. You may experience tooth loss. Chronic periodontitis also puts strain on your immune system.
As periodontitis progresses, damage to the teeth, gums, and surrounding bones can become severe. A deep cleaning will not be enough to treat these problems. At Kriebel dental, our specialists have many years of experience dealing with advanced cases. We will develop a treatment plan that helps you get the smile you deserve.
In addition to the non-invasive treatments mentioned above, treatment for severe periodontitis may involve:
Pocket reduction surgery (flap surgery): Your Kriebel Dental specialist will make a small incision in your gum. This will allow us to access and deeply clean the tooth root. The gum will then be sutured back in place to reduce the size of the pocket between the tooth and gum. This will discourage the growth of bacteria and make it easier for you to maintain good oral hygiene.
Soft tissue graft (gum tissue graft): Chronic periodontitis causes your gums to recede, and they may need to be reinforced. In a soft tissue graft, your dentist at Kriebel Dental takes a small amount of tissue from the roof of your mouth and attaches it to the affected site. Not only does a soft tissue graft reduce tooth sensitivity and protect your teeth’s roots from further damage, but it can approve the appearance of your smile.
Bone augmentation (bone graft): Periodontitis can damage the bone surrounding your teeth. To correct this, we place a special bone graft material in the weak part of the jaw, which then heals in place and strengthens your jaw, preventing tooth loss. If you have already lost teeth due to periodontitis, the bone graft provides a perfect foundation for natural-looking dental implants.
After surgery, you will need to maintain your healthy teeth and gums by practicing good oral hygiene. This means brushing your teeth twice a day with a soft toothbrush, flossing daily to remove plaque, and getting regular cleanings.
The cost of periodontitis treatment varies widely depending on the severity of the case. A flap surgery without insurance can cost between $1000 to $3000 (USD). A bone grafting procedure starts at around $1000. If you need additional procedures, such as dental implants, these costs can quickly add up. This hefty price tag can be a barrier to getting the care you need.
At Kriebel Dental Clinic in Costa Rica, our U.S.-educated and U.S.-certified dentists offer the highest quality oral surgery procedures at affordable prices. At Kriebel Dental, your dental care can be up to 70% less than the same treatment in the U.S. We guarantee our patients the highest quality materials and state-of-the-art procedures to restore their smiles. Plus, you’ll be able to explore beautiful San Jose, Costa Rica while you’re recovering.
If you are interested in learning more about getting affordable periodontics treatment at Kriebel Dental, please call or email us. We will walk you through the process, answer any questions you have, and start planning your perfect smile.