Gum disease is a condition that gets worse over time and can lead to serious dental problems. It’s important to treat it early for your health and quality of life. Dr. Mark Sowell and Dr. Sara Chen are top dentists in Plano, TX, who specialize in diagnosing and treating gum disease.
We use advanced treatments, including:
- Saliva tests to find the type of bacteria in your mouth
- Ultrasonic tools and lasers to clean and sterilize gums without touching them
- Biophotonic scans to check antioxidant levels and the immune system’s response
- Emdogain technology to help regrow gum and bone tissue
Gum Disease Treatment in Plano, TX
80% of Adults Have Gingivitis
Healthy gums and teeth are the base of a great smile. Ignoring gum care can lead to gum disease, which is linked to health problems like heart disease, stroke, cancer, and Alzheimer’s. Gingivitis, an infection of the gums, affects most adults. Many also have periodontitis, a more serious infection that damages both gums and bones.
It’s very important to catch gum disease early to prevent it from causing bigger health issues like heart disease, respiratory problems, diabetes, and even cancer. Untreated gum disease can also cause bone loss and tooth loss.
Unfortunately, many insurance plans don’t offer enough care for gum disease. They often only cover cleaning bacteria from one part of the mouth at a time. Our practice, however, uses science-based care that goes beyond insurance limits to fully manage and treat gum disease.
Signs of gum disease, such as gingivitis or periodontitis, include:
- Bleeding gums
- Receding gums
- Sore or swollen gums
- Gum infections or abscesses
- Dental abscesses
- Tooth infections
How We Treat Gum Disease in our Plano, TX Dental Office
Dr. Sowell and Dr. Chen focus on removing the bacterial biofilm deep in the gums. This biofilm is like a web that traps bacteria inside the gum tissue. Just cleaning the teeth won’t stop the disease, so we treat the gums every two to three weeks to remove bacteria and stimulate the immune system.
Ultrasonic & Laser Gum Treatments
In our Plano office, we use ultrasonic tools and lasers to clean deep in the gums. We also use topical antibiotics, and saliva samples help us choose the best antibiotics for each patient by identifying the bacteria.
Emdogain Technology™
Emdogain™ is a special material that helps regrow soft and hard tissue in the mouth. Dr. Sowell and Dr. Chen apply a protein-based gel to receding gums, which helps regenerate tissue in a few months, improving both health and appearance.
Benefits for the patient include:
- Natural-looking results
- Faster recovery after gum surgery
- Healthier gums
- Protects tooth roots from decay
- More comfortable than other treatments
Gum Disease FAQs
Is gum disease contagious?
Yes, it can be for people with weak immune systems or poor oral health. Sharing food, utensils, or saliva can spread it. But if your oral health is good, you’re less likely to catch gum disease from others.
Can gum disease cause tooth loss?
Yes, if it’s left untreated for too long. Early gum disease doesn’t usually lead to tooth loss, but advanced stages can.
Leading Dallas Dentist For Gum Disease Treatment
Dr. Sowell and Dr. Chen are the only dentists in Plano, TX, to offer advanced testing and treatments for gum disease using the biophotonic scanner. This tool measures antioxidant levels in the body, showing how well a person can fight gum disease.
How It Works
The Biophotonic Scanner is a non-contact tool that scans your palm. It measures antioxidant levels in just a few minutes. A high score means your body can fight gum disease with good hygiene and regular dental visits. A low score means you may need to boost your immune system.
Improving Immunity for Oral Health
To raise your body’s ability to fight gum disease, improving your diet is key. Eating 10 to 12 servings of fruits and veggies a day can boost antioxidant levels, though this may not work for everyone.
Dr. Sowell shares his experience:
“In my case, I ate 10 or more servings of fruit and vegetables every day for a year and found no change. As it turns out, the problem was my absorption level in my gut and intestines. Without the biophotonic scanner, I would have never been able to realize this. Ultimately, I was able to raise my antioxidant level substantially through nanoparticle supplements. “
Finally, there’s a way to help identify a component of the treatment solution and help people who struggle with chronic gum disease despite excellent home care and frequent gum treatments.
More About Gum Disease & Immune Response
“Gum Disease & Immune System (Host Disease Response)”
Why are older people – who often take better care of themselves than younger people, more likely to suffer from advanced forms of gum disease? The reason has to do with the immune system and low levels of antioxidants.
“Systemic Link to Gum Disease”
Treatment for gum disease has always included the professional removal of the hard and soft bacterial colonies, paired with education on how patients can control soft bacteria at home through regular brushing and flossing. The host immune response, however, has been completely avoided because there has been no scientifically practical method of evaluating the patient’s immune response nor a practical (and predictable) solution. Now, that’s changed.
Cosmetic Gum Treatments
In addition to treatment for gum disease, Dr. Sowell offers a range of other periodontal treatments. This includes cosmetic procedures to improve the appearance of gums.
Dr. Sowell improved this young lady’s smile without making any changes to her teeth! This conservative approach involved a gum lift, which decreased her gum display and increased the size of her teeth to the ideal proportions for her face.
To learn more about our cosmetic gum treatments, see: