Gingivitis: The Most Common (and Reversible) Stage
The most common form of periodontal disease is gingivitis. This is the initial stage of gum inflammation caused by plaque buildup. Because it is often painless, many patients in Chula Vista don’t realize they have it until they notice red, swollen gums or bleeding while brushing.
The good news is that gingivitis is the only stage of gum disease that is fully reversible. At our office, we often treat this with a specialized laser scaling and root planing procedure. By removing the bacterial biofilm, we can restore your health before the infection reaches the bone.
Chronic Periodontitis: The Advanced Stage
When gingivitis is ignored, it matures into chronic periodontitis, the most common form of advanced gum disease. At this stage, the infection begins to destroy the bone and ligaments supporting your teeth. You may notice your teeth feeling loose or see receding gums making your teeth appear “long.”
To stop this bone loss, Dr. Susan Nguyen utilizes LANAP® laser gum surgery, a no-scalpel alternative that targets infection while promoting natural healing. If the disease has already caused significant damage, we may recommend osseous surgery to reduce deep pockets where bacteria hide.
Specialized and Aggressive Forms of Gum Disease
While chronic periodontitis is the most frequent diagnosis, some patients suffer from more aggressive or systemic-related forms. These require the expertise of a specialist periodontist to manage:
Aggressive Periodontitis: Rapid bone destruction often seen in otherwise healthy patients.
Systemic-Related: Gum disease linked to conditions like diabetes, which we discuss in our guide on the oral-systemic health connection.
Necrotizing Disease: A severe and painful infection of the gum tissues.
How We Restore Your Smile After Disease
Stopping the disease is the first priority, but restoring what was lost is just as important. For patients who have lost teeth to common periodontal diseases, we provide permanent dental implants to restore function. If bone loss is standing in your way, our guided tissue and bone regeneration or holistic PRF treatments can help rebuild your foundation.
Schedule Your Periodontal Screening Today
Don’t let the “silent” symptoms of the most common periodontal diseases lead to tooth loss. Whether you need a simple periodontal maintenance cleaning or a complex consultation, our team is ready to help. Book your appointment at Chula Vista Periodontics today or call us at (619) 425-9770.
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