I’ve always taken pride in my smile, although I haven’t been the best at caring for my teeth. I often skipped dental checkups and ignored toothaches. Five months ago, a dentist diagnosed me with severe periodontitis. After a couple of deep cleanings, things seemed to be getting better. My gums looked pinker, and I felt more hopeful.
My dentist referred me to a periodontist because he was concerned that my gums weren’t healing as expected. The periodontist measured 12mm huge pockets in my gums, and there was blood and pus everywhere. I was shocked because three weeks ago, my dentist said the pockets were 9mm. The periodontist recommended extracting all my teeth.
I felt like the periodontist was dismissing me without trying to determine if my teeth could be saved. Shouldn’t she have tried antibiotics or other ways to help my gums heal, like perio trays? It felt like she was just ready to punish me for years of neglecting my teeth. Thanks, Sammi from IL
Sammi,
We understand your concerns. Our explanations can help you think about getting a second opinion from another periodontist.
What Are Periodontal Pockets?
A periodontal pocket is a gap between the gums and teeth below the gumline. Healthy gum tissue fits snugly around your teeth. However, gum disease causes gum irritation and inflammation that pulls the tissue away from your tooth roots, causing pockets to form.
Does Periodontal Pocket Depth Increase Rapidly?
No, it is doubtful that periodontal pocket depth would increase from 9 mm to 12 mm in just three weeks. Several factors can contribute to discrepancies in pocket depth measurements:
- Tartar deposits: When tartar builds up on the roots of teeth, it can create a false sense of deeper pockets. A dental probe may hit the tartar and give the impression of reaching the bottom of the pocket.
- Inflamed tissue: Swollen and inflamed gum tissue can make it easier to probe the underlying bone, leading to an overestimation of the depth of your gum pockets.
Why Are the Periodontist’s Recommendations Concerning?
The blanket recommendation to extract all your teeth is a red flag. While advanced periodontitis is a severe condition, it’s unusual for every tooth to be unsavable. A truly hopeless tooth will typically be loose. If your teeth are not loose, it’s unlikely that all of them are beyond saving.
The periodontist’s eagerness to give up without trying therapy is also concerning. If you had a history of consistent dental care and still developed advanced periodontitis, a more pessimistic outlook might be understandable. However, your admission of going years without professional dental care explains why your gum health is compromised. It’s reasonable to expect that a skilled dentist can create a detailed treatment plan to save some or even many of your teeth.
The Importance of Finding a Caring and Committed Periodontist
Dentists vary significantly in their commitment to saving teeth. Some will go to great lengths to preserve them, while others may opt for extraction as the easiest solution. As a gum health specialist, a periodontist is dedicated to saving teeth. Your current periodontist’s chairside manner during your appointment made you sense a lack of empathy and commitment.
Research online reviews for periodontists who care about their patients preserving their teeth. The periodontist can partner with a skilled cosmetic dentist to develop a treatment plan for saving or restoring as many teeth as possible. Saving your teeth is best for your oral health and will minimize the need for dental implants or dentures.
The Monroe, Louisiana, dentists at Bayou Dental Group sponsor this post. Please read how Dr. Finley and his team strive to offer some of the best dental care in Monroe.