What Is Perioscopy? | Phoenix, AZ

Dentistry, like any medical field, is filled with technical words. For dentists and hygienists, the meanings of these words are clear due to their training and day-to-day usage.

For patients, however, dental terms can sometimes be confusing, which may make it unclear what procedure your dentist is recommending.

One of those terms you may hear at Dental Implants and Periodontology of Arizona is perioscopy. We will explain below what perioscopy is and how we use it to save the gums and teeth of our patients in an around Maricopa County.

Perioscopy defined

Perioscopy is a procedure using miniature tools with video, lighting, and magnification that allows dentists to diagnose and treat the area below the gumline, according to Perioscopy Professionals.

The tool in this case is known as an endoscope. This is a lighted tool that allows medical professionals to see inside the body.

In our practice, we use perioscopy to look for and treat gum disease, which is also known as periodontal disease.

How can it help?

If you come to our office, perioscopy offers us a way to identify problems with your gums with digital video.

This is a great advance for us as dental professionals and for our patients. Before perioscopy existed, we had to cut open your gums to remove any infection. This new technology has given us a less invasive way to examine your gums and to treat any problems we may find.

The endoscope allows us to more clearly see plaque deposits on your teeth and between your teeth and gums. If you want, you can even watch what is happening on a screen next to your chair.

Being able to get a magnified look at your gums means we can see exactly where your infection is located.

Through the use of perioscopy, we can attack the infection with less impact on your healthy gum tissue. And without surgery, you recover much faster from your treatment. As a bonus, you won’t have to deal with the discomfort that can be a part gum surgery.

How common is gum disease?

Gum disease or periodontal disease is more widespread than most people realize. In the United States around 80 percent of people will experience gum disease.

There are two primary types of gum disease. They are gingivitis and periodontitis.

Gingivitis is the milder form of gum disease. If your gums bleed when you floss or brush your teeth, this may be a sign of gingivitis. Other signs of gingivitis are swollen and red gums.

Periodontitis is a more advanced stage of gum disease. People with periodontitis have gums that are pulling away from their teeth and may have persistent bad breath.

When an infection causes your gums to pull back, it creates pockets between your gums and teeth where plaque can build. This can lead to problems that could damage the bones that support your teeth and tooth loss.

Bleeding may be the most common sign of gum disease. If your gums bleed when you floss or you notice blood during or after brushing your teeth, you could be in the early stages of gum disease.

Avoiding gum disease

Preventive efforts remain the best way to avoid gum disease. If you are still in the early stages of gingivitis, you may even be able to correct the situation with proper oral hygiene practices.

This means brushing your teeth and gums twice a day every day and flossing once per day.

When you brush, be sure to brush for two minutes every time. You need to scrub every part of your mouth and hit your teeth from every angle using a soft-bristled brush and a fluoride toothpaste.

Flossing helps to remove plaque from between your teeth and gums that you can reach by brushing alone. When you floss, get in between all your teeth and behind your back teeth.

Find a floss or other interdental device that is most comfortable for you. The key is to get between your teeth and gums.

If flossing makes your gums bleed, you should still continue flossing. As you floss more, you’ll be making your gums healthier, and the bleeding should stop with time. If it doesn’t, you should contact us to help treat the problem.

Treating your gums right

If you treat your gums and teeth right, you may never need to find out about perioscopy. If you are suffering from more advanced gum disease, however, perioscopy provides you a treatment that is more comfortable, efficient, and faster than surgery.

If you need care for your gums or any of our other services, contact Dental Implants and Periodontology of Arizona by calling 602-842-6841 or filling out our online form to make an appointment at our office in Phoenix.