Holistic Treatments for Gum Disease
An Integrative Approach to Oral & Systemic Health!
Rebalance Your Gum & Your Health!
Minimal Invasive Non-Surgical or Surgical Gum Therapy with Ozone Therapy & Laser
If you have periodontal (gum) disease, you are not alone. According to recent findings from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one of the most common dental conditions experienced by millions of Americans is gum disease.
Periodontal (gum) treatments at our holistic and biological dental practice with innovative technology can not only save you from severe dental damage and tooth loss, but it may also help reduce the risks of developing overall health problems that can be attributed to gum disease.
Gum Disease Overview
The gums are a complex system containing the bone, ligaments, and soft tissue to hold your teeth. This complex system is also referred to as the periodontium.
The healthy periodontal condition is characterized by firm and pink gums that do not bleed when brushed or flossed. There should be no mobility in the teeth. Healthy individuals will have clean breath and a happy, confident smile.
When the periodontium is not healthy due to plaque and bacteria building up over time, it can cause tooth and gum damage, which ultimately could result in tooth loss and loss of bone in your jaw and skull. Gum Disease is a progressive condition that begins with symptoms many disregard as normal. Tender, red, and bleeding gums are the first sign of gingivitis. As the disease progresses, gums become more damaged, pulling away from the teeth, which can become loose and even fall out. Knowing the common risk factors for gum disease, however, can help prevent this condition from harming your smile and health. It can also put you at a serious health risk, such as a heart attack, diabetes, respiratory infections, and stroke, because it is connected to the rest of your body via the blood vessels that carry valuable nutrients to your mouth. Many different types of periodontal (gum) disease may require different treatment approaches. The stages of gum disease range from simple inflammation (gingivitis) to severe periodontitis that results in major damage to the soft tissues and bone that support the teeth. In the worst cases, teeth are lost.
Have you ever wondered if you were at risk for gum disease? Maybe you’ve never thought about it, but there’s a chance you have one or more factors that could be putting you at risk. Consult with our certified holistic and biological dentist, periodontist, or hygienist who provides expert biological dental care to prevent, treat, and manage gum disease so you can keep a healthy smile for life in a healthy way.
Healthy Gum Vs. Gum Disease
Stages of Periodontal Diseases
The Stages of periodontal diseases range from simple gum inflammation or redness to severe gum disease that results in major damage to the soft tissue and bone that support the teeth. In the worst cases, teeth are lost.
Whether your gum disease is stopped, slowed, or gets worse depends a great deal on how persistent you show up to your perio-maintenance appointments at Aria Dental and how well you care for your teeth and gums every day.
stages of gum disease & pocket depth
Gingivitis
In its early stage, gum disease is often referred to as gingivitis, an infection of bacteria in the gums caused by plaque buildup on teeth. If plaque isn’t properly removed, it will build up at the gum line and can result in inflammation of the gums. Gingivitis is a condition that needs to be addressed immediately at the first sign of a problem; It is characterized by swollen, red, bleeding, or receding gums. Gingivitis is reversible with professional treatment and good oral home care. If left untreated, it can lead to severe periodontitis (periodontal infection), which could ultimately lead to gum surgery or destroy the bone surrounding your teeth and may cause you to lose your teeth. Aria Dental utilizes the latest techniques and proven holistic ways to help our patients eliminate gingivitis and associated chronic inflammation. The treatment usually involves deep cleaning (scaling or root planing) with options of ozone therapy and gum laser treatments.
Periodontitis
Destructive Inflammatory Disease Periodontal (Gum) disease or periodontitis is the natural progression of gingivitis. Periodontal disease is a hidden danger, not only to your teeth but also to your overall health, because it is virtually pain-free. Periodontitis is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults. According to recent findings from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), half of American aged 30 or older have periodontitis. This equals approximately 64.7 million Americans. Your daily oral hygiene routine is your best defense against periodontal disease, but if you suffer from bleeding gums, receding gum, or loose teeth due to any form of gum disease, you need to immediately receive professional dental care. Although it cannot be cured, gum disease can be controlled with dental treatments such as gum therapy, ozone therapy, and Periolase LANAP®.
different forms of periodontitis
- Aggressive Periodontitis occurs in patients who are otherwise clinically healthy. Common features include rapid attachment loss (separation of gums) and bone destruction, and familial aggregation (genetic predisposition, different bacterial exposures, different lifestyles, etc.
- Chronic Periodontitis results in inflammation within the supporting tissues (gum and bone) of the teeth, progressive attachment loss, and bone loss. This is the most frequently occurring form of periodontitis and is characterized by pocket formation and/or recession of the gingiva (gums). It is most prevalent in adults, but can occur at any age. Progression of attachment loss usually occurs slowly, but periods of rapid progression can occur.
- Periodontitis as a Manifestation of Systemic Disease often begins at a young age. Systemic conditions such as heart disease, respiratory disease, or diabetes are associated with this form of periodontitis.
- Necrotizing Periodontal Disease is an infection characterized by necrosis (death) of the gingival (gum) tissues, periodontal ligament, and alveolar bone. This form is commonly observed in individuals with systemic conditions such as HIV infection, malnutrition, and/or immunosuppression.
Do You Know What Type of Gum You Have?
Factors Affecting the Development of Gum Disease
Have you ever wondered if you were at risk for gum disease? Maybe you’ve never thought about it, but there’s a chance you have one or more factors that could be putting you at risk. Gum disease is a progressive condition that begins with symptoms many disregards as normal. Tender. red, and bleeding gums are the first sign of gingivitis . as the disease progresses, gums become more damaged, pulling away from the teeth, which can become loose and even fall out. knowing the common risk factors for gum disease, however. can help prevent this condition for harming your smile and health.
Smoking & Tobacco
Plaque Buildup
Systemic Disease
Misaligned Teeth
Nutritional Deficiencies
Grinding & Clenching
Hormonal Shifts
Medication Use
Family History
How to Prevent Gum Infection?
Healthy Diet & Cutting Back on the Unhealthy Foods
Holistic Home Remedies
Maintain Good Oral health at Home
Visit Your Holistic Dentist & Hygienist Regularly
Signs of Gum Diseases
Early Signs of Gum Disease
- Red Gum & Tooth Discoloration
- Bleeding During Brushing & Flossing
- Persistent Bad Breath or Foul Taste
- Pain & Sensitivity
- Teeth Shifting or Change in Bite
- Pus Discharge
- Enlarged Gum Pockets
Spread of Problems That Start in the Mouth to the Rest of Your Body
Gum infections may increase the risk of many diseases, including
- Hearth Disease
- Stroke
- Lung Disease
- Problem in Pregnancy
- Complications Related to Diabetes
- Alzheimer's Disease
- Autoimmune Diseases
The Link between Gum Disease & Covid-19 Mortality
The study published in the journal of Clinical Periodontology revealed that COVID -19 patients with gum disease (periodontitis) were not only more likely to die, but also 4.5 times more likely to require ventilator, and 3.5 time more likely to be admitted to intensive care. The study reports periodontitis shares common risk factors with most chronic inflammatory disease known to influence the severity of COVID-19.
Periodontal disease treatment options
Periodontics is the branch of dentistry that focuses on the health of the bones and tissues that support your teeth. Regular visits with Dr. Maryam Horiyat at Aria Dental of Mission Viejo will maintain the health of these vital structures. If any signs of gingivitis or gum disease are seen, she may recommend preventive care steps, so the condition does not worsen. If signs of advanced periodontal disease are present, Dr. Horiyat, together with our periodontist, can create a personalized treatment plan for you. The main goal of treatment is to control the infection. The number and type of treatments will vary, depending on the extent of the gum disease. Any type of treatment requires that the patient keep up good daily care at home. The doctor may also suggest changing certain behaviors, such as quitting smoking, to improve treatment outcomes.
1. Healthy
2. Gingivitis
3. Periodontal Pocket
4. Periodontitis
When bacterial build-up is threatening the health of your smile, and if you have been diagnosed with gum disease, there are a variety of treatment options depending on the severity of the problem. The two main options that can be used to restore the health of your gum and bone tissues.
- NON-SURGICAL PERIODONTAL TREATMENTS
- SURGICAL PERIODONTAL TREATMENTS
As a holistic and biological dentist, Dr. Horiyat will always start with the least invasive and conservative options, which are non-surgical treatments including Diode Soft Tissue Laser and Ozone; However, in more serious cases, invasive gum surgery may be needed. However, our LANAP-certified dentist or periodontist could help you with non-invasive LANAP® Laser Gum Therapy as an alternative to traditional osseous surgery.
non-Surgical Gum Treatments
(Mild to Moderate Gum Disease)
The first line of defense against gum disease is a unique type of non-surgical cleaning called “scaling and root planning (SRP).” During this procedure, our holistic dentist and hygienist utilize an advanced technique of ultrasonic scaler device and hand instruments to remove plaque or calculus from your teeth at or below the gum line. Root surfaces of the tooth may be smoothed using “Periodontal Debridement”, which is a procedure by which plaque and tartar that have accumulated on the teeth can be removed. This provides a healthy and clean surface that makes it easier for the gum tissue to re-attach to the tooth.
This type of cleaning is performed when a regular teeth cleaning is not enough. It is usually used for people who have put off dental visits or teeth cleaning for a while and have a significant buildup of plaque and tartar. During a gross debridement, plaque is first removed with a scaler tool. Since tartar is hardened, a special electric tool is usually required to loosen and remove tartar from the teeth. Once this is complete, a regular prophylaxis cleaning will be performed.
Periodontal maintenance cleaning is recommended for those who had a history of gum disease; it helps patients to maintain healthy teeth and gums long-term. Periodontal maintenance cleaning involves a careful inspection and a thorough cleaning to prevent gum disease. This includes:
1. Inspection: Teeth x-rays & visual examination of the mouth
2. Subgingival Cleaning: Calculus is removed along and under the gumline.
3. Supragingival Cleaning: Dental scaling tools are used to clean the area of teeth that is visible above the gum line.
4. Root Planing: The root of the teeth is gently smoothed to remove any remaining bacteria that persists.
Oxygen/ozone therapy is a holistic and natural treatment that safely and significantly reduces oral harmful microorganisms such as bacteria & fungus. Gum disease can be arrested without the use of pharmaceutical drugs and their associated side effects. There are different applications for ozone therapy: Ozonated Water, Ozonated Oils & Ozonated Gas while applying oxygen/ozone directly into the infected gum pockets.
The diode soft tissue laser can be used as an additional treatment to remove diseased tissues and bacteria that contribute to gum disease inside the pocket; it treats bacterial pockets along the gum-line in mild gingivitis to moderate periodontitis. This technique uses laser light to eliminate periodontal pathogens and promote the return of the periodontium to a state of health. For moderate to severe gum disease, we offer not only osseous surgery, but also LANAP® laser therapy, in which we treat your gum disease with the only FDA-approved laser that requires no cut, no stitch, no drill, and no fear.
Treat you beyond your dentist visit, but like any other medication, they come with side effects. Since our holistic dentist usually does not recommend medications due to the pharmaceutical drug side effects, she might recommend more natural and safe treatments such as ozone therapy or laser along SRO
Arestin® (Minocycline HCL) Microspheres is a concentrated antibiotic that remains active in your gum pocket for an extended period to reduce pocket depth by targeting periodontal bacteria to fight infection and ultimately helping your gum to heal. Arestin is incorporated into a routine oral maintenance program along SRP.
Medications may be used with treatment that includes scaling and root planning, but they cannot always take the place of surgery. Depending on how far the disease has progressed, Dr. Horiyat and her team of board-certified periodontists may still suggest surgical treatments.
The Perio Tray® by Perio Protect was developed to supplement and improve periodontal treatments. Perio Trays are versatile and non-invasive approach to threat bacteria and other problems that cause gum disease. The basic goal of Perio Protect is to help to restore your oral health by placing medication under the gums and into infected pockets and keep it there long enough for the medication to work.
Our patients describe the Perio Trays as comfortable and easy to use. A perio Tray needs to be designed to precisely fit each patient. thus, the prescription Perio Tray is customized for each patient to deliver medication deep under the gums to fight gingival infection, and it needs to be used for 10-15 minutes daily.
If you undergo this method of treatment, Dr. Horiyat will give detailed instructions on what you need to do. Most people only need to use it for a few minutes each day, but each person is different.
Natural Ozone Vs. Pharmaceutical Drugs
Surgical Gum Treatments
(Moderate to Severe Gum Disease)
Plastic Surgery for the Gum
What most people may not realize is how dramatically their oral and overall health can be affected by gum disease. When gingivitis and periodontitis are left untreated, they can harm more than just the soft tissue of the gums; they can also damage the bones that anchor teeth to the jaw and develop holes in the bones around your teeth. If the tissues or bone surrounding your teeth is too damaged to be repaired with non-surgical treatments or if no other periodontal treatment has worked to restore your teeth and a healthy smile, gum surgery is the standard for treating advanced periodontal infection.
There are two types of surgical periodontal treatments:
- Modern & Innovative LANAP® Gum Laser Technique (Minimal Invasive with No Cut & No Stitches... No Damage to Healthy Tissues)
- Traditional & Invasive Osseous Surgery (Flap Surgery, Pocket Depth Reduction, Gingivectomy, or Periodontal Surgery)
Innovative Non-invasive LANAP® Gum Surgery
Common Facts About LANAP® Laser Therapy
- True Regeneration of Bone & Gum
- Long-lasting Results with Proper At-Home Oral Care
- Little to No Gum Recession
- Less Post-op Infections
- Minimally Invasive
- Less sensitivity & discomfort afterwards
- Speed up the Gum Disease Therapy
- No General Anesthetic Needed
Modern Laser Gum Therapy Vs. Traditional & Invasive Surgery
Benefits of LANAP® Periodontal Treatments:
Less Bleeding
Faster Recovery
Minimally Invasive
Less Sensitivity
More Effective Gum Therapy
Ideal for hemophilia, HIV, or diabetes patients
No Cutting or Stitching of Gum
Traditional & Invasive Osseous Surgery
In a healthy mouth, the teeth are firmly surrounded by gum tissue and securely supported by the bones of the jaw. Periodontal disease damages these tissues and bones, leaving open spaces around the teeth that we call pockets. The larger these pockets are, the easier it is for bacteria to collect inside them, leading to more and more damage over time. Eventually, the supportive structure degrades to the point that the tooth either falls out or needs to be removed.
During pocket reduction procedures (also known as “flap surgery”), we fold back the gum tissue and remove the bacteria hiding underneath, as well as the hardened plaque and tartar that have collected. We may also remove any tissue that is too damaged to survive. We then sew the healthy tissue back into place. Now that the tooth and root are free of bacteria, plaque, and tartar, and the pockets have been reduced, the gums can reattach to the teeth.
In a healthy mouth, the teeth are firmly surrounded by gum tissue and securely supported by the bones of the jaw. Periodontal disease damages these tissues and bones, leaving open spaces around the teeth that we call pockets. The larger these pockets are, the easier it is for bacteria to collect inside them, leading to more and more damage over time. Eventually, the supportive structure degrades to the point that the tooth either falls out or needs to be removed.
During pocket reduction procedures (also known as “flap surgery”), we fold back the gum tissue and remove the bacteria hiding underneath, as well as the hardened plaque and tartar that have collected. We may also remove any tissue that is too damaged to survive. We then sew the healthy tissue back into place. Now that the tooth and root are free of bacteria, plaque, and tartar, and the pockets have been reduced, the gums can reattach to the teeth.
When the bone and tissue supporting the teeth have been lost due to severe gum disease, we can restore these areas with a regeneration procedure. During this process, we begin by folding back the gum tissue and removing the bacteria, plaque, and tartar. Depending on your situation, we may then perform a bone graft to stimulate new bone growth, or we may apply a special kind of protein that stimulates tissue growth to repair the areas that have been destroyed by the disease.
A frequent symptom of gum disease is gum recession (also called gingival recession). As the gums recede, more of the roots are revealed. This can make teeth appear longer and can also create sensitivity to hot or cold liquids or food. It also exposes the tooth to increased damage from gum disease, as bacteria, plaque, and tartar attack the surface of the tooth and the root.
During a soft-tissue graft of gum grafting, tissue from the top of your mouth or another source is sewed to the gum area, covering the roots and restoring the gum line to its original, healthy location. This procedure can also be performed for cosmetic reasons.
World-Class & Premier Dentists, Specialists & hygienists
What Makes Us Unique?
- Our Certified Holistic and Biological Dentist
- Our American Board Certified Periodontist with Holistic Approaches
- Our Personal Attention & Gentle Care
- Our Holistic, Integrative, Preventive, & Regenerative Approaches
- Our Outstanding Success Rate & Satisfied Patients
- Our Anesthesia & Sedation Options
- Our State-of-the-Art Technologies and Modern Holistic Methods
Top 5-Star Cosmetic & Holistic Dentist
Dr. Maryam Horiyat
in Orange County, CA
Leading-Edge Technology
Fellowship Recipient from Prestigious Academic Organizations
Holistic & Integrative Treatments
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Stop Gum Disease Before It's Too Late!
We proudly provide the highest level of biological care and offer hi-tech, modern, and advanced holistic & biological dental services: Family, Cosmetic, Preventive, Restorative, Reconstructive, and Surgical.
