Greenwood – Gum Disease – Kim Alexander, DDS

Four out of five people have periodontal disease and may not even know it. If gum disease is left untreated, it can eventually progress into periodontitis which is an advanced form of gum disease. Our Greenwood dentist Dr. Kim Alexander, can scale underneath the gumline and remove the tartar that causes the bone surrounding the teeth to diminish. Every patient that receives a cleaning or check- up gets an exam for gum disease. If gum disease is present, Dr. Alexander will get the regressing gums where they need to be.

We all know visiting a dentist is not always fun, that is why Dr. Alexander and staff strives to relax the patient. To achieve this,  we uses ultrasonic instruments for gentler treatment. The ultrasonic instrument shakes and vibrates the pockets clean and then flushes the bacteria out.

Kim Alexander, DDS looks forward to educating the residents of Greenwood, IN on their periodontal treatment options and assures her current and prospective patients will have a beautiful, healthy smile within a couple visits.

Reasons for periodontal treatment:

Periodontal disease is a progressive condition which begins with mild gum inflammation called gingivitis. It is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults living in the developed world, and should be taken very seriously. Periodontal disease (often called gum disease) is typically signified by red, swollen, painful, or bleeding gums, but in some cases has no noticeable symptoms.

Periodontal disease generally begins when the bacteria living in plaque cause an infection in the surrounding tissues of the teeth, causing them to become irritated and painful. Eventually, this infection will; cause the jawbone to recede and the tooth to become loose.

There are several reasons why periodontal treatment may be necessary:

Moderate/advanced gum disease – This occurs when the gums are bleeding, swollen or red around most teeth and the jawbone has begun to recede.


Localized gum recession – The infection which propagates moderate or advanced gum disease often begins in one area. Gum recession may also be caused due to over brushing with a hard bristle brush, or due to a tooth that is not positioned properly. Immediate treatment is required to prevent further spreading.


Before crown lengthening – The periodontist may lengthen the crown of the tooth by removing surrounding soft tissue to provide more tooth exposure.


Ridge augmentation – This procedure, often called “recontouring” may be required to correct an uneven gum line. Before embarking on treatment, a periodontist needs to treat any bacterial infections and periodontitis.
In the case of mild/moderate periodontal problems, the focus of the periodontist will be on curing the underlying bacterial infection and then providing advice on the most appropriate home cleaning methods.

Sometimes a deep scaling is needed to remove the bacterial plaque and calculus (tartar) from the teeth and tissues. Where periodontal disease is advanced and the jawbone has regressed significantly, more intensive cleaning may be recommended and loose teeth that cannot be saved will be removed.

The periodontist is trained in all aspects of dental implant procedures, which can restore functionality to the mouth when teeth have been affected by periodontitis.

Because periodontal disease is progressive, it is essential to remove the bacteria and calculus build up to halt the spread of the infection. Your dentist will be happy to advise you on effective cleaning methods and treatment options.