Gum Disease Treatment
What Is Gum Disease?
Also called periodontal disease, gum disease happens when bacteria in the mouth leads to infection and inflammation of the gums. It is a progressive disease that starts out as common gingivitis. If left untreated, it leads to periodontitis, a more serious condition that extends below the gumline and can lead to loose teeth and tooth loss.
What Is Gingivitis?
Gingivitis is the early form of gum disease. Good oral hygiene and regular teeth cleaning appointments can usually keep gingivitis in check. However, once plaque solidifies into tartar, you need professional cleaning to stop the progression of the disease. Treatment may include scaling and root planing, which removes bacteria from the teeth and under your gums. It also smooths tooth roots to discourage bacteria from sticking.
What is a Periodontitis?
Periodontitis is advanced gum disease that occurs when bacteria spreads deeper into the gums. At this point, pockets develop between your gums and teeth, giving bacteria a place to thrive. An untreated infection will attack the tissue and bone that holds your teeth in place, and may lead to tooth loss. Dr. Schlaikjer tailors treatment to get the inflammation under control and restore your oral health.
Experiencing Symptoms of Gingivitis or Periodontitis? Justin M. Schlaikjer, DDS Can Help
Timing is essential when it comes to preserving your oral health. If you have symptoms of gum disease, Dr. Justin M. Schlaikjer can see you quickly to perform urgent dental care.
If your symptoms are mild, it is important to seek treatment before the infection spreads and causes extensive damage. Early treatment greatly increases your odds of keeping all your teeth, preventing the need for additional dental procedures.
Our St. Louis business is open Monday through Friday, with morning hours Tuesday through Thursday. Send us an email to set up a visit or call:
(314) 729-7840
Why You Should Treat Gum Disease in Its Earliest Stages
Prevent Tooth Loss
By eliminating gum disease, Dr. Schlaikjer can also address symptoms like bad breath and bleeding gums and reduce the risk of serious consequences such as tooth loss. Periodontal treatment can even protect your heart and respiratory health.
Improve the Look of Your Smile
After removing the tartar and plaque buildup that causes gum disease, you can enjoy a healthier, brighter-looking smile. Advanced gum disease can also cause gum recession, which makes teeth appear too long and makes you look older.
Save Time & Money
Treating gum disease early can save you money. The earlier you treat periodontal disease, the lower your chances of needing expensive surgical procedures or expensive restorative work in the future, such as dental implants to replace lost teeth or bone grafting to treat jawbone atrophy.
"I highly reccomend them to everyone!"
Tim Schoemehl
2022
This Dr is amazing. I would recommend him to anyone in need of periodontal work! His staff is also amazing! Thank all of you very much!
View on GoogleKyle Brown
2019
Dr. Schlaikjer and his staff are absolutely incredible!!! There aren't enough fantastic words to describe him and his practice, I highly reccomend them to everyone!
View on GoogleCan't a general dentist provide periodontal treatment?
The Importance of Choosing a Periodontist
Although some dentists can provide therapy for gingivitis, most will refer you to a periodontist like Dr. Schlaikjer in St. Louis if you have more serious periodontal disease.
Periodontists are specially trained in the diagnosis and treatment of periodontal disease, and can create the most effective treatment plan for your needs.
To provide his patients with the latest, most effective treatment options, Dr. Schlaikjer is constantly participating in continuing education courses and SPEAR® study clubs. He is also a member of:
- The American Dental Association
- The American Academy of Periodontology
- The North American Society of Periodontists
How can you tell if you need gum disease treatment?
Do You Have Symptoms of Gum Disease? Request a Consultation
Do your gums bleed when you brush your teeth? Have gaps appeared between your teeth and gums? Early treatment of gum disease saves you money by heading off damage that would need expensive treatments to repair.
Dr. Schlaikjer has more than a decade of experience helping his patients in St. Louis overcome gum disease and prevent the damage it inflicts. As a periodontist, he has specialized training to manage both gingivitis and periodontitis. In addition, he uses the latest technology to make treatment effective and more comfortable.
Leave us a message online or request a consultation by phone:
(314) 729-7840
Hear From Our Patients About Our Office
Mike Manion
2021
Dr Schlaikjer and his staff are very professional and friendly. If I knew how painless and easy the procedure was, I would have come in sooner. They are GREAT! Thanks, Patti Manion
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Raul Alvarez
2019
Really enjoyed (who even says that about a dentist) visiting Dr. Schlaikjer's office. Staff is personable and professional... along with Dr. Schlaikjer's care and expertise. Highly recommend.
View On GoogleProfessional Periodontal Treatment Can Reach Areas That You Can't
Many patients think that they don't need to visit a dentist or specialist for periodontal care because they practice proper oral hygiene on their own. However, brushing and flossing is not always enough to prevent gingivitis and periodontitis. Even patients who follow recommended oral hygiene practices can still develop tartar deposits underneath the gumline, where it is impossible to reach with regular toothbrushes, flosses, and picks.
Dr. Schlaikjer uses special tools at his St. Louis practice to access and remove bacteria that cause periodontal disease, reducing your risk of advanced periodontitis and other health problems associated with gum disease.
Our periodontist has advanced training to treat all levels of periodontal disease...
If you suffer from gingivitis (early gum disease), your treatment may simply include scaling and root planing (also known as a deep cleaning).
If you have periodontitis (an advanced form of gum disease), your treatment may include gum surgery or LANAP® therapy.
If your gum tissue has receded or any teeth have been lost, you may need restorative care like a gum graft or dental implants.
Do you have loose or missing teeth due to gum disease?
Restore Your Smile With
All-on-4 Implants
Patients looking for a secure and reliable solution often turn to dental implants when they want to replace missing teeth. Unfortunately, many discover they have lost too much bone due to advanced periodontitis. In order to qualify for implants, they may have to undergo lengthy bone graft treatments first.
Dr. Schlaikjer has a solution that lets many patients qualify for implant-supported dentures without having to undergo bone grafts.
He offers All-on-4® dental implants that support a full denture on just four implants. Because the All-on-4 method uses fewer implants, patients can get by with having less jawbone bone structure than is required for traditional implants. All-on-4 also shortens the overall treatment timeline.
If you want the health benefits and security that implant-supported dentures offer, the All-on-4 method may be the answer you are looking for.
Periodontal disease is alarmingly common...
A Closer Look at Gum Disease Treatment
Gum disease treatment, or periodontal treatment, does not refer to one particular procedure. It is a treatment plan personalized according to the severity of your symptoms and condition.
As a doctor specializing in periodontal diseases, Dr. Schlaikjer can customize an effective treatment plan that helps to restore both the health and aesthetics of your gums.
See how non-surgical periodontal therapy, a process called scaling and root planing, works...
Successfully Treating the Most Complex Cases
"By far his most difficult patient yet, and yet I'd go back in a heartbeat. Friendly staff across the board. Patient, understanding, sympathetic, etc." K Smith
LANAP Restores Gum Health Without Incisions
Less painful than traditional gum disease treatment, LANAP uses the PerioLase® MVP-7™ laser to treat gum disease This eliminates the need to use traditional oral surgery tools on the gums when treating patients at our St. Louis practice.
Thanks to the use of a soft tissue laser, most patients recover from LANAP treatment within a day. By comparison, traditional oral surgery treatment recovery times can take up to four weeks.
Laser treatment has the added benefit of prompting the body's natural healing response, leading to new bone and soft tissue.
Our St. Louis office uses laser dentistry to address periodontal disease with minimal discomfort and bleeding.
Paying for Periodontal Treatment
Living with gum disease is harmful to your oral health. Receiving treatment from a periodontist like Dr. Schlaikjer greatly reduces your risk of health complications and the need for additional dental procedures. It can also improve your quality of life.
Insurance Coverage
As a restorative dentistry procedure, gum disease treatment should be covered by dental insurance, at least in part.
Financing Options
If dental insurance is unable to cover the costs, CareCredit® and LendingClub® allow patients to pay for treatment in installments rather than all at once. Most major credit cards are accepted too.
