Referral Hub

Periodontal disease commonly presents with symptoms such as swollen or bleeding gums, persistent bad breath, loose or shifting teeth, receding gums, food impaction between teeth, and changes in bite alignment (increasing spaces between teeth). Patients may also experience increased sensitivity to hot or cold foods.

Referral for periodontal evaluation is recommended if you observe signs of gum disease, such as bleeding gums, persistent bad breath, or when the patient has risk factors like smoking, diabetes, or a family history of gum disease. If you’ve exhausted your treatment options and the patient has deep pockets (6 mm or greater), it’s time to refer.

We typically use periodontal probing, radiographs, and the evaluation of bleeding or pus during probing. Additionally, we assess fremitus/tooth mobility, systemic health issues, and sometimes employ advanced tools like intraoral cameras to determine the extent of periodontal disease.

Treatment options range from non-surgical approaches like scaling and root planing to surgical interventions such as pocket reduction procedures, bone grafting, gum grafts, and, in some cases, tooth extraction, depending on the severity of the disease.

Surgical intervention is considered for advanced cases where non-surgical treatments, like scaling and root planing, have not effectively addressed deep pockets or significant bone loss. The patient’s ability to maintain adequate oral hygiene is crucial for the success of pocket reduction procedures.