Gum Disease, Gingivitis and periodontitis...the silent infection. And can it be cured?

Dr Yasmin Akrum wrote

Hi Brandon

The gum boil infection is due to the decay causing a leak into the root canal system of your tooth. I trust that your dentist has already explored the possibility of removing the decay, redoing the root canal and crown but has deemed the tooth unsalvageable. One possible reason a tooth like that can't be saved is when the decay is so extensive that a new crown cannot be done even if the root canal is redone.

If implants are your choice, and no preparatory work needs to be done in terms of increasing the bone available or to preserving it after extraction, then I would suggest getting the tooth removed sooner rather than later.

This infection will not spread to your head but leaving the infection there for a prolonged period of time increases your risk of having more bone lost due to the infection which then makes implant insertion more challenging especially since aesthetics is a concern.

Hope this helps you make your decision. Thanks for your enquiry.

Posted February 07, 2009

Brandon wrote

Hi doc,

I've had a gum boil due to an infection caused by what looks like tooth decay beneath a cap I've had on tooth #8 for probably 3 months now. The specialist who did the root canal on that tooth years ago before being capped said it will be okay to wait another couple months to get the tooth removed for an implant, but not to wait much longer than that. (he took an x ray and traced the problem through the boil, he also said the root canal looked fine)

Is this an infection that could spread to my head if I wait that long?

I'm trying to see how urgent of a condition this is because he acted like it wasn't a huge emergency, just to work on getting it done.

Thank you doctor

Posted January 27, 2009

yasmin akrum wrote

Hi Lucille
To continue, at the maintenance visit, usually a periodontal chart will be done unless the visits are very close to each other, and under-the-gums cleaning is performed as deemed appropriate. Oral hygiene is checked and corrected if necessary and the interval between maintenance visits is determined.
Hope I have helped you some
Thanks for your enquiry
Yasmin

Posted December 24, 2008

Yasmin Akrum wrote

Dear Lucille,
The answer to your question is yes and no. To do a surgery or not depends on a lot of factors which requires an intra oral examination. Examples of factors include your standard of oral hygiene, type of treatment you have undergone, amount of subgingival calculus, is the tooth in a difficult to access area, is the ation involved, mobility of tooth, your medical status and the list goes on. I am afraid I am not in a position to advise you as such and the best person is probably your own periodontist.
As for maintenance programme, it is always good to ubdergo one after the active phase of gum treatment is over. If your perio condition is stable (as determined by the periodontist), you can usually return to your general practitioner for regular scalings. The interval is determioned by your oral hygiene status. If however, you have residual pockets that need constant monitoring, maintenance can be continued with the periodontist.

Posted December 24, 2008

lucille wrote

Hi Dr Akrum, I have a gum pocket of 5mm. Is gum surgery the best option for a gum pocket of 5mm? Also, after a gum treatment, will I need to go through a maintenance programme to continue to keep my gums healthy? What are these programme?

Thanks and kind regards
Lucille

Posted December 16, 2008

Dr Yasmin Akrum wrote

Hi Ms Carmody

Thanks for your interest. I am sorry to hear about the gaps that you complain of. If the gaps are between the teeth, that is the gums in between the teeth have receeded, nothing much can be done to bring back that "missing gum". Only recession on the part of the tooth facing outwards can be regenerated. Gaps between teeth after orthodontic treatemnt in adults is quite common, I am afraid. You can perhaps mask it with venners? (you will need input from a prosthodontist for this).Perhaps you can email me a photo if you have one. As for massaging gums with a toothpick, I am afraid I have not read of that improving gum growth. Also, be careful you do not end up traumatising the gum with it as excessive trauma with a toothpick or brush can cause recession too.

Hope this helps.
Thanks
Dr Yasmin Akrum
Peirodontist, Gum Specialist Singapore

Posted November 25, 2008

siobhan carmody wrote

I am massaging the gums between the teeth with a tooth pick is this a good idea to promote new tissue growth?

Posted November 22, 2008

siobhan carmody wrote

Hi there.
I am 35 years oId. I had the surgery where they broke the bones above and around my top teeth and split my pallet. An expander was then placed in my pallet, i turned it twice daily, with a key. Now I have braces to bring my teeth back together and straighten them. But my gums are not going down to boarder the tooth like they used to. It looks like i have little gum disese holes between my gums and teeth that were not there before. Isthere anything I can do to grow my gums down so they are flush with my teeth? I can send you a pic If you like.

Thanks

Posted November 22, 2008

Lilyanna wrote

hi

i recommend dr yasmin's service for those who dont know her. she offer good service

Posted August 17, 2008

00gt00 wrote...

Nice lens! I use to hate the dentist when I was little, but now I know what happens when you don't go!!! Great lens, keep up the great work!

Posted August 13, 2008