After two scaling and planing appointments, my dentist wants to extract my teeth. I was a caregiver for 7 years and neglected my own health. Now that I can take care of myself, I am catching up on medical and dental appointments. I wasn’t expecting total tooth loss. What questions should I ask the dentist? Thanks. Kamille from TX
Kamille,
Periodontal probing is an important diagnostic tool, but measurements are not always exact. Heavy tartar deposits on tooth roots can prevent a probe from reaching the true bottom of a pocket. Also, severely inflamed tissue may allow the probe to penetrate more deeply than expected. Both situations can create differences in recorded pocket depths.
For those reasons, a change from 9 mm to 12 mm over a short period should be interpreted with caution and evaluated in the context of your overall periodontal health.
Does Advanced Gum Disease Mean You’ll Lose All Your Teeth?
While severe periodontitis can threaten the survival of teeth, immediately declaring every tooth unsavable is unusual.
Many factors influence a tooth’s prognosis, including:
- Tooth mobility
- Remaining bone support
- Root anatomy
- Response to treatment
- Overall oral hygiene habits
A complete evaluation should consider all these factors rather than relying solely on pocket depths.
Why Is It Reasonable to Try Treatment First?
If you have gone years without professional dental care, inflammation and periodontal disease may have progressed significantly during that time.
Many periodontists wait to see how the tissues respond after appropriate periodontal therapy and improved home care. Once inflammation is reduced, it becomes much easier to evaluate the true condition of the teeth and supporting bone.
That information can help determine which teeth can be maintained successfully and which may be unsavable.
Why Seek a Second Opinion?
A second opinion can provide additional perspective and help you better understand your treatment options. Look for a periodontist who takes time to explain findings, answers questions thoroughly, and discusses both tooth-saving and replacement options.
Baton Rouge family dentist Dr. Ryan Perry sponsors this post. He strives to provide his patients with the best care possible.