Gum Disease
Without proper treatment, periodontal disease can progress from gingivitis to periodontitis and lead to widespread health concerns.
Dr. James Slaman DDS, PC, in Albuquerque, NM, can save your smile with advanced gum disease treatment.
Let him address your periodontal disease and improve your oral and overall health at our state-of-the-art office.
What Is Periodontal Disease?
Gum disease, or periodontal disease, is caused by the buildup of plaque and bacteria, leading to inflammation and infection in the gums. Periodontal disease is incredibly common, and the likelihood of needing treatment increases as we age.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 40% of adults age 30 and older suffer from some form of gum disease. Early detection and treatment are key to eliminating gum disease and protecting the health of your teeth.
Risk Factors for Gum Disease
Even patients with otherwise outstanding oral hygiene habits who brush and floss routinely can develop periodontal disease. This underlines the importance of scheduling regular visits with Dr. Slaman every six months for routine checkups and exams. Regular checkups allow you to receive treatment in its earliest stages and can save your smile.
There are a number of contributing factors that can increase the risk of gum disease, including:
- Poor oral hygiene
- Smoking or chewing tobacco
- Hormonal changes, especially with pregnancy or menopause
- Obesity
- Poor nutrition
- Family history
- Medications
- Compromised immunity
- Inflammatory diseases like Crohn's disease, diabetes, and rheumatoid arthritis
The Stages and Symptoms of Gum Disease
Gingivitis
The early stages of periodontal disease are known as gingivitis. With the proper care, gingivitis can actually be reversed, making prompt treatment and lifestyle changes incredibly important. Symptoms of gingivitis include:
- Swollen gums
- Red gums
- Bleeding gums
- Bad breath
Periodontitis
Without treatment, gingivitis can develop into periodontitis. Periodontitis is not reversible, and can undermine your oral and overall health. Symptoms of periodontitis include those of gingivitis plus:
- Gum flaps or recession
- Loose teeth
- Painful chewing
- Change in the function of your bite
How Can a Dentist Treat My Gum Disease?
Timely periodontal therapy is a simple, more affordable way to treat gum disease and guard against tooth loss and costly restorative treatments. Healthy gum tissue directly promotes a more attractive smile and better overall health. Dr. James Slaman provides periodontal care at our Albuquerque, NM, practice, such as laser dentistry treatments and scaling and root planing.
“Dr. Slaman is the best!” 5-Star Patient Reviews
Geri Stayman
Albuquerque, NM
2024
Every single person - from the person behind the desk who greeted me when I came in, to my hygienist - were incredibly kind and genuinely interested in my well-being.
View on GoogleLouise Martin
Albuquerque, NM
2024
Dr. Slaman is the best! The staff , from top to bottom, are professional, friendly and helpful. We appreciate the professional and caring service.
View on GoogleWhy Choose Dr. James Slaman DDS, PC?
Experience
Dr. Slaman has helped improve the oral health of patients of all ages throughout Albuquerque, NM, for over 20 years. Regarded by many as the best dentist in Albuquerque, Dr. Slaman is a perfectionist with extremely high standards. To this end, Dr. Slaman regularly attends continuing education to provide you with the latest treatments in modern dentistry.
Advanced Treatment
We strive to provide our patients with world-class care. To help support your oral and overall health we utilize state-of-the-art technology at our friendly dentist office. Our practice is equipped with advanced tools, such as digital imaging and dental lasers, which allows Dr. Slaman to provide you with fast and effective gum disease treatment.
Comprehensive Care
When you go to our Albuquerque office, you're not just meeting the team that can treat your gingivitis or periodontitis; you're getting to know the folks who can take care of your smile for a lifetime. That's because we offer comprehensive care to improve the health, function, and appearance of your smile, including routine cleanings and cosmetic dentistry.
Innovative Technology for State-of-the-Art Treatment
In addition to The Wand®, our Albuquerque dental office also uses other advanced dental technology to provide effective periodontal disease diagnosis and treatment, including:
Digital Imaging
Dr. Slaman uses digital imaging to assess the health of your soft tissues and bone structure in order to evaluate your gum health. Digital X-rays provide accurate two-dimensional images that can be magnified and enhanced to provide Dr. Slaman with a snapshot of your teeth and jawbone density. For advanced cases where gum recession is present, Dr. Slaman can use our GALILEOS ComfortPLUS cone beam device to fully evaluate your dental structures with detailed three-dimensional images to determine the extent of any bone loss.
WaterLase™
Laser Assisted Periodontal Therapy (LAPT) with our WaterLase laser uses a specific light wavelength to target and destroy bacteria and infected tissue from periodontal pockets. Combined with scaling and root planing, LAPT can significantly reduce the bacteria that causes gum disease without having to rely on more invasive treatments such as open flap debridement. Compared to more invasive options, LAPT allows patients to achieve a significant improvement in their oral health in less time, more comfort, and with less swelling, bruising, or bleeding. Our laser can also provide gum contouring for cosmetic purposes or to help you brush easier after periodontal disease.
Intraoral Cameras
Thanks to small handheld intraoral cameras, Dr. Slaman can capture images of hard-to-reach areas that would otherwise be out of view using conventional methods. So that you can make an educated decision on how to proceed with your gum disease treatment, Dr. Slaman can share these images with you so that you have a complete understanding of how periodontal disease is affecting your oral health. Together, you can develop a treatment plan that best suits your individual needs.
Protect Your Smile With Treatment from Dr. Slaman
If you've noticed the telltale signs of gingivitis while brushing your teeth, like red, bleeding gums, receiving treatment before gum disease develops into periodontitis can save your smile. Addressing infected gum tissue can also help eliminate symptoms such as swollen gums and chronic bad breath.
Plus, when you eliminate periodontal issues early, you can avoid gum recession and possible tooth loss. Restore your oral health and support your overall wellbeing with periodontal therapy from our expert Albuquerque dentist, Dr. Slaman.
Ready for help? To request an appointment at our family-friendly Albuquerque dental office, fill out our form:
Plus, when you eliminate periodontal issues early, you can avoid gum recession and possible tooth loss. Restore your oral health and support your overall wellbeing with periodontal therapy from our expert Albuquerque dentist, Dr. Slaman.
Ready for help? To request an appointment at our family-friendly Albuquerque dental office, fill out our form:
A Team Trusted For 40+ Years
“I’ve been fortunate to have Dr. Slaman as my dentist for more than 40 years. His oversight of my oral health has been essential to my overall health and wellbeing. His staff have been essential part of the process and deserve equal thanks!” Maureen Hickey
Our Two-Pronged Approach to Comfort Means Less Stress and Pain for Anxious Patients
At our compassionate practice, you will always come first. We make treatment more comfortable for Albuquerque, NM, gum disease patients using two different methods.
The Wand for Discomfort
Worried that treatment may hurt? We can use local anesthetic to ensure that you won't feel a thing. Dr. Slaman even goes an step further to improve your experience by using a precise, quick applicator called The Wand®.
With The Wand, injections are so painless that our patients often don't realize anesthesia has been administered until the doctor tells them it's already been done.
Oral Conscious Sedation for Anxiety
Feeling nervous can keep you from seeking the care you need. It can also cause your condition to worsen. Fortunately, Dr. Slaman can help you manage your gum disease with oral conscious sedation.
This form of sedation involves taking a prescribed sedative pill ahead of time, so that you will remain conscious but calm during your visit. Because it's so effective, you will need someone to drive you to and from your visit.
How Scaling and Root Planing Works
If you have periodontitis, scaling and root planing can help. Think of it as a deep dental cleaning. It typically goes like this:
Dr. Slaman will keep you fully comfortable using anesthetic from The Wand.
The Importance of At-Home Care
Though we're always here for dentist-directed treatment, we also want to stress the importance of good at-home care. It can make a world of difference for our Albuquerque gum disease patients. In fact, it can even help reverse gingivitis.
Wondering what that means? Patients should brush their teeth twice per day to keep plaque and tartar at bay. You should also floss each day, so you can remove plaque around your teeth and at the gum line. When you visit our welcoming practice, we can put together a course of action for your at-home care to help you stay on top of your periodontal disease.
"A skilled professional who cares about your comfort."
Rachel McLeod
Albuquerque, NM
2024
From the moment I stepped in until I left I didn’t wait and every one did their job professionally. Receptionist was ready for me and check in was smooth, hygienist was on time and thorough, doctor checked in immediately to examine my teeth and the check out staff was fast and polite. What a positive experience!
View on GoogleCatherine A.
Albuquerque, NM
2024
Our family has been going to Dr. Slaman for years. He's a skilled professional and cares about your comfort. The staff there is friendly, professional and customer service oriented.
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