GENERAL DENTAL TREATMENTS
Gum Treatment
Periodontal treatment that stops inflammation and preserves the existing tissue
Provided at our clinic in Altunizade, Üsküdar (Istanbul).
IN SHORT
Gum treatment is all of the procedures that aim to stop the progression of gum inflammation and periodontal diseases that develop as a result of plaque and tartar. The treatment is based on cleaning the deposits on the tooth and root surface, planing the root surface where necessary and, in advanced cases, surgical intervention. In most cases the lost gum and bone cannot be regained; the treatment stops the disease and preserves the existing tissue.
What is gum disease?
Gum diseases develop as a result of the inflammation that the bacteria in the plaque and tartar accumulating on the tooth surface create in the gum tissue. The earliest and reversible stage is gum inflammation (gingivitis); at this stage the inflammation involves only the gum and the bone is not yet affected.
If the inflammation is not treated, it can progress to the supporting tissues around the tooth and to the jawbone; this stage is called periodontitis. The bone loss that occurs in periodontitis is largely permanent. For this reason, acting early in gum disease is the most effective way to minimise the loss.
What are the signs?
Bleeding of the gums during brushing or spontaneously.
Redness, swelling and tenderness of the gums.
A persistent bad smell or taste in the mouth.
Receding gums and teeth appearing longer.
In advanced cases, loosening or shifting of the teeth.
Gum disease may not cause pain in the early stages; for this reason signs such as bleeding should not be ignored and should be assessed with an examination.
Who is it applied to?
Gum treatment is applied to people with signs of gum inflammation or periodontal disease. The scope of the treatment varies from a superficial cleaning to a surgical intervention according to the stage of the disease and is planned as a result of the examination. Patients are accepted at our clinic for gum diseases.
Who is it not suitable for, and in which cases is additional assessment needed?
Gum treatment can be applied to almost every patient who needs it; however, some conditions affect healing and therefore change the treatment plan and the expected outcome. These conditions are assessed openly before treatment.
Uncontrolled diabetes slows the healing of the gum tissue and can worsen the course of the disease; the result obtained without the blood sugar being regulated may be limited.
Heavy smoking markedly reduces the response to treatment and increases the risk of recurrence. This is a limit that should be shared honestly with people who smoke.
The use of blood-thinning medication and bleeding disorders require additional precautions in the surgical plan.
Treatment during pregnancy is usually possible, but its timing and content are arranged accordingly.
How does the treatment progress step by step?
Examination and assessment
The gum pockets are measured, and in cases judged necessary the bone condition is assessed with an X-ray.
Non-surgical treatment
The tartar and deposits on the tooth and root surface are cleaned; the root surface is planed to reduce bacterial attachment.
Re-assessment
Healing is checked after a while; in many cases non-surgical treatment is sufficient.
Surgical treatment
In advanced cases where deep pockets persist, gum surgery (a flap operation) may be considered in order to reach and clean the area.
Maintenance
Regular periodontal maintenance care is needed at intervals to keep the disease under control.
Additional applications
In some advanced cases, applications in addition to the existing methods may come onto the agenda; which method is suitable is assessed according to the case and shared with the patient.
Healing and maintenance process
After the treatment, the bleeding and swelling of the gums decrease and the tissue takes on a healthier appearance. As the inflammation subsides, the gum may be seen to recede and part of the tooth root to become exposed; this is the true level of the tissue emerging as the inflammation-related swelling goes down.
There may be temporary cold-and-hot sensitivity on the exposed root surfaces. The durability of the treatment depends largely on the care applied at home and on regular maintenance check-ups; if maintenance is not carried out, the disease can recur.
Periodontal maintenance is the check-up and cleaning carried out at certain intervals to protect gum health after the treatment is completed. This interval is not the same for every patient; it is determined by the dentist according to the stage of the disease, the healing and the person's oral care. Maintenance is the foundation of preserving the result gained by treatment over the long term.
Risks and possible situations
Gum treatment is a controlled procedure; possible situations are usually temporary and manageable.
Gum recession and the related tooth-root sensitivity may be seen after treatment.
As the inflammation subsides, a temporary sensation of looseness may occur in the teeth; this usually decreases as the tissue recovers.
In teeth with advanced bone loss, there are situations in which the tooth may not be able to be saved despite treatment.
The most important limit is this: gum treatment stops the disease and preserves the existing tissue, but in most cases it does not regenerate the lost bone and gum. For this reason, starting treatment early is the fundamental factor that determines the outcome.
Treatment according to the stage of the disease
Gum disease is divided into stages, and as the stage advances the reversibility decreases. Assessing early signs such as bleeding makes it possible to catch the picture at an early stage. The table below summarises the approach by stage.
Compare the options
| Prominent findings | Treatment approach | |
|---|---|---|
| Gingivitis | Bleeding, redness; no bone loss | Tartar cleaning and oral care; largely reversible |
| Early–moderate periodontitis | Pocket formation, beginning bone loss | Root surface planing + maintenance |
| Advanced periodontitis | Deep pockets, marked bone loss, loosening | Surgical treatment may be considered; some teeth may not be able to be saved |
Which option is suitable is decided together after an intraoral examination.
Frequently Asked Questions
Healthy gums do not bleed regularly when brushing. Bleeding is most often an early sign of gum inflammation and it is advised that it be assessed.
The treatment stops the disease and preserves the existing tissue; however, in most cases the lost gum and bone are not regained. For this reason early treatment is important.
Yes. Heavy smoking reduces the response to treatment and increases the likelihood of recurrence. Quitting or reducing smoking directly affects the success of the treatment.
It can recur if regular maintenance care is not carried out. Preserving gum health depends on the subsequent care as much as on the treatment itself.
Related treatments
The content on this site is for information only and does not replace a clinical examination. The suitability, duration and scope of treatment are determined after a clinical assessment.
This content was prepared by Dt. Mevlüt Yazıcı.
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Altes Diş Kliniği
Altunizade, Üsküdar, İstanbul
- PHONE+90 533 474 43 94
- EMAIL[email protected]
- ADDRESSAlperen İş Merkezi, Valide-i Atik Mahallesi, Altunizade, Nuhkuyusu Cd D:191/B, 34664 Üsküdar/İstanbul
- WORKING HOURSWeekdays 10:00–19:00 · Saturday 10:00–16:00 · Sunday closed