Periodontal disease: Tailor-made treatment at our Lyon dental practice

Tooth loosening is a sign of advanced periodontal disease. But before reaching this stage, this bacterial pathology can take a quieter form for several years: red, swollen gums, bleeding when brushing…

Because periodontitis can have severe consequences for teeth and general health, it’s important to react quickly to any symptoms.

That’s why Studio Dentaire, run by Dr Hervé Touati in Lyon 3rd district, offers you a tailor-made treatment and follow-up program in the company of a periodontal specialist. Here, we explain what periodontal disease is, what the risk factors are and how they can develop, as well as what treatment at our dental practice involves.

What is a periodontal problem?

Gingivitis and periodontitis are both dental diseases known as “periodontal” because they affect the periodontium, i.e. the supporting tissues of the tooth, made up of the gums, the alveolar bone and the ligament that holds the tooth in the jaw. Gingivitis is a benign condition if treated in time, but can develop into periodontitis if the inflammation worsens. Its main symptoms are red, swollen gums that can cause discomfort or mild irritation, and bleeding gums when brushing (or biting into a food such as an apple). Periodontitis, on the other hand, attacks not only the gums around the teeth, but also the bone and ligament, which it will gradually destroy if the disease is not stopped. It is therefore a disease of the bones of the teeth. This pathology is irreversible and develops slowly over several decades, but can be stabilized with appropriate care. When the disease is already well established, it is often characterized by gums that reveal the roots of the teeth, but also by the migration of teeth onto the jawbone, or the creation of black spaces between affected teeth. The disease can lead to eventual tooth loss, but can also aggravate a pre-existing illness (diabetes, heart disease), or be the cause of one if the bacteria pass into the general circulation.

What are the causes and risk factors?

Periodontitis, or periodontal disease, is caused by the stagnation of bacteria in dental plaque, leading to an inflammatory reaction.

It’s not necessarily linked to poor dental hygiene: in fact, many factors may be involved, such as certain medications, diabetes or genetics (this disease is often hereditary). The absence of cavities can also be an aggravating factor, since the bacteria that cause cavities tend to attack those responsible for gum disease.

How is periodontal treatment carried out at our dental practice in Lyon?

At your very first appointment at our practice, we’ll offer you a full oral check-up to verify the diagnosis and assess the stage of the disease. A series of x-rays will be taken, as well as a saliva test. We’ll also look at the factors that may contribute to the onset of the disease. In the case of established periodontitis, x-rays of different areas of the mouth will enable us to see precisely the state of the alveolar bone. Depending on the results and the depth of the periodontal pockets (the pockets of bacteria that form around the teeth and under the gums), several scaling and lithotripsy sessions will be scheduled to remove tartar from the surface of the teeth and under the gums. At the same time, daily at-home care will be set up before the start of the sessions, for the duration of the sessions and to be continued afterwards. The Studio Dentaire team is on hand to answer any questions you may have, and to advise you. A follow-up treatment is scheduled several months apart to prevent any relapse. Our aim: to help you maintain good dental health over the long term, and take good care of your teeth after periodontal treatment.

The cost of treatment at Studio Dentaire ranges from €900 to €4500, depending on the number of lithotripsy sessions required. These treatments are not covered by Social Security (with the exception of part of the dental check-up and scaling), but it is possible to benefit from a lump-sum payment depending on your health insurance. Our care coordinator can propose a personalized payment schedule to enable you to access the treatment.

Before / After treatment

Studio Dentaire has been welcoming you to the heart of the Part-Dieu district, a stone’s throw from the shopping center and SNCF train station, since 1999. Call us on 04 78 62 84 08 from Monday to Friday, 9.15am to 6pm.