Periodontal Procedures in Temple & Belton, TX

Fairbanks Dental Associates offers Periodontic Treatment in Temple & Belton, TX. To learn more or schedule an appointment, call 254-778-4402.

Periodontics is a special branch of dentistry that focuses on the gums that surround and support your teeth. So often when we think about our oral health, we focus on just the teeth, but the gums play a huge role, too.

Gum disease, or periodontal disease, can be caused by many different factors, such as:

• Poor dental hygiene
• Teeth grinding
• Genetics
• Age
• Chronic stress and poor diet
• Diabetes and other medical issues
• Certain medications
• Tobacco

So, how can you tell if your gums are in need of attention? Below are a few common signs:

• Bleeding gums
• Longer teeth
• Sore, red gums
• Bad breath
• Loose teeth
• Pus oozing between teeth

Dr. Fairbanks and his team at Fairbanks Dental Associates are all highly skilled at diagnosing and treating periodontal disease. They work hard to help patients prevent it, too. Gum disease in its earliest form can be reversed entirely, but once it advances – it can’t. However, with the right attention and the proper treatment, the progression of the disease can be stopped.

Crown lengthening is commonly used to expose more tooth structure, crown lengthening involves the removal of gum tissue and/or bone to expose more of a tooth’s structure.

Gum grafting treats root exposure resulting from receded gum tissue. Tissue is removed from the roof of the mouth or from gum tissue near the tooth and stitched into the area needing gingival repair.

A dental cleaning, also known as an oral prophylaxis, is the removal of dental plaque and tartar (calculus) from the teeth. Specialized instruments are used to gently remove these deposits without harming the teeth. First, an ultrasonic device that emits vibrations and is cooled by water is used to loosen larger pieces of tartar. Next, hand tools are used to manually remove smaller deposits and smooth the tooth surfaces.

A locally applied antibiotic delivers minocycline microspheres in the form of a powder. It is placed directly into the infected periodontal pocket at the time of scaling and root planing procedures for easy, targeted treatment. The microspheres adhere to the surrounding surfaces to provide a sustained release of the antibiotic at the site of active infection for effective treatment.

Scaling and root planing is a non-surgical procedure used to treat gum disease. During the scaling process, specialized dental instruments are used to remove dental plaque and calculus from beneath the gums. Planing is the procedure used to smooth the tooth’s root after the scaling process. Root planing helps the gums heal and reattach themselves to a cleaner and smoother root surface.

At Fairbanks Dental Associates, we want all of our patients to have an incredible smile. And we know that it starts with a healthy mouth - including both the teeth and the gums. With our long list of available treatments and Dr. Fairbanks’ in-depth knowledge in periodontics, we are able to effectively diagnose and create a personalized treatment plan to benefit our patients. If you have any of the symptoms above, it is essential that you seek treatment as soon as possible. We are here for you.

Protecting your smile with trusted periodontics in Belton and Temple begins with understanding how issues along the gum line progress and how they can affect overall wellness. In the early stages, conditions like gingivitis may show subtle warning signs such as swollen tissues or persistent irritation. Harmful bacteria can develop beneath the surface and increase the risk of concerns linked to heart disease or even stroke, which is why adults benefit from a proactive visit to identify problems before they advance.

Left untreated, periodontal disease can lead to tooth loss, weakened support around the jawbone, and deepened spaces between teeth. Our team focuses on control and prevention while guiding patients through treatment options that achieve healthier stability, including solutions like dental implants when additional space or structural reinforcement is required.

With personalized care, we help you realize the long term value of maintaining good oral health and the importance of addressing developing symptoms early. Our goal is to keep every smile strong, supported, and protected well into the future.