I developed gum disease sometime during my six years without dental insurance and cleaning. It wasn’t until February of this year that I could see a dentist. I have bone loss, and my dentist scheduled deep cleanings for me. The hygienist said the deepest pocket was 9mm at my last deep cleaning. The office referred me to a periodontist for gum disease treatment.

I had the appointment the following month. The periodontist measured the pockets and said the deepest one was 12 mm. She said that I had blood and pus between most of my teeth. My case is so severe that laser treatment wouldn’t help. Her recommendation was to remove all my teeth and replace them with dental implants. She made me feel guilty. Should the dentist have prescribed antibiotics or tried some form of treatment instead of automatically recommending extractions? – Thanks. Lyza from IL

Lyza

Your deepest periodontal pocket is unlikely to increase from 9mm to 12mm in several weeks.

Tartar deposits on teeth roots can cause a dentist or hygienist to think they have probed to the bottom of the periodontal pocket. Severe inflammation can be easy to x, making the pocket seem deeper than it is.

Although advanced periodontitis is serious, if your teeth are not loose and falling out, treatment can help save them. The periodontist you saw seems to have given up without trying to give you the best care possible.

Dentists’ treatment philosophy and commitment to saving teeth vary. However, a periodontist specializes in gum disease treatment to save teeth.

We recommend getting a second opinion from another periodontist to evaluate your gum and bone health. The specialist should explain your level of gum disease and what to expect if you want to try treating the disease before extracting all your teeth and replacing them with dental implants.

Atlanta periodontist Dr. David Pumphrey sponsors this post.