Gum Disease

Gum Disease (Periodontitis) in Batavia, IL

Gum Disease, or periodontitis, is a severe infection of the gums caused by bacteria. For effective treatment of gum disease (periodontitis) in Batavia, IL, your premier choice is Ronald A. Murphy, DMD General & Cosmetic Dentistry. Schedule an appointment today.

Professional Treatment of Periodontitis

As periodontitis is a severe gum infection, without proper treatment, it can lead to tooth loss, bone loss, and other serious health issues. Also known as gum disease, periodontitis damages the soft tissue around teeth(gums). This bacteria that accumulates on the gums and teeth causes periodontitis.


While it is a severe oral health issue, the good news is that a dental professional can stop the damage if treated early and proper oral hygiene is maintained. In Batavia, IL, Ronald A. Murphy, DMD General & Cosmetic Dentistry, is here to provide effective treatment for periodontitis.


To learn more about treating periodontitis, schedule an appointment with our dental team today. With our New Patient Special, you can avail of a free exam and X-ray.

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What Are the Stages of Periodontitis?

Periodontitis starts as inflammation, or gingivitis, and gradually worsens over time. One of the first signs of gingivitis is that the gums bleed when brushing or flossing the teeth. In addition, plaque buildup may discolor teeth.


During this early stage, you may notice gum recession and small pockets forming between the teeth and gums. These pockets can harbor harmful bacteria. There may also be some bone loss at this stage.


Without treatment, the teeth will begin to lose bone support and become loose, in addition to pain and bleeding around the teeth. At this stage, periodontitis may result in an inflammatory response throughout your body.


At the advanced stage of periodontitis, the connective tissue holding the teeth in place begins to deteriorate. Furthermore, the tissues surrounding the teeth, such as bones and gums, are also subject to destruction. Therefore, tooth loss is also likely at this stage of the infection.

What Are the Symptoms of Periodontitis?

Here are the main symptoms of periodontitis (these depend on the stage of the infection):


  • Bad breath
  • Receding gums
  • Pain while chewing
  • Foul taste in the mouth
  • Tooth loss
  • Bleeding gums
  • Buildup of plaque
  • Loose teeth


You may not be able to notice the symptoms in the early stages of periodontitis. However, that is why regular dental checkups are so important.

What Are the Complications of Periodontitis?

As we've noted, there are profound implications for not treating periodontitis. These problems go far beyond some of the symptoms highlighted above, however.


For example, a possible complication of periodontitis is painful abscesses. A dental abscess is a pus inside the teeth, gums, or bone holding the teeth in place. A bacterial infection causes it and comes with many unpleasant symptoms.


There is an increased risk of migration of the teeth. Tooth migration may interfere with your ability to eat. In addition, receding gums can result in the exposure of the roots of the teeth.


There are potential complications outside of oral health, too. For example, periodontitis can result in difficulties in pregnancy, including preeclampsia and low birth weight. In addition, there is an increased risk of diabetes, respiratory disease, and heart disease.

Treatment Options for Periodontitis

There are several different treatment options for periodontitis. During your first dental examination, we will determine the stage of periodontitis and devise a treatment plan. These include both non-surgical and surgical treatments.

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In instances of advanced periodontitis, patients may require dental surgery. There are several potential treatment options here, depending on the stage and extent of the infection. These options include:


  • Soft tissue grafts
  • Pocket reduction surgery
  • Guided tissue regeneration
  • Bone grafting
  • Tissue-stimulating proteins

For example, pocket reduction or flap surgery cleans deposits under the gums. Then, the dental surgeon sutures the gums back into place. In addition, bone grafting may be performed in tandem, in the case of any bone loss, to regenerate the lost bone.


The bottom line is that, if caught & treated early enough, a dental professional can stop periodontitis. Treatment for periodontitis is typically very successful. Please schedule an appointment with our team to learn more about treatment options and our procedures.

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Non-surgical treatment is available if the periodontitis is not advanced. These options are less invasive than surgical treatments. One option here is scaling. Dental scaling works by removing bacteria and tartar from both the tooth surface and below the gum line.


Another option is root planing, which smooths the root surface and helps to prevent further buildup of bacteria and tartar. In addition, root planing helps the gums attach to the teeth again. Antibiotics are another option to treat periodontitis. Oral or topical antibiotics help to control bacterial infection. 

Why Choose Us

  • OVER 11 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE

    Batavia IL dentist Dr. Ronald Murphy graduated from dental school in 2002, and worked as an associate dentist for 2 years before moving to Batavia. He has completed over 800 hours of continuing education since graduating from dental school.

  • EVENING APPOINTMENTS

    We know that sometimes it is difficult to find the time to get to the dentist so we have convenient morning appointments that start at 7 am and evening appointments that go to 7 pm.

We are the trusted choice for periodontist gum disease treatment in Batavia, IL. Our focus is on providing outstanding patient care and providing services to the people within our community.


Our dental clinic, designed to put our patients at ease throughout their visits, has over 11 years of experience. Click below to learn more about our team.

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Read Our Reviews

We are proud of our reputation as a leading dental practice in Batavia, IL. Please keep reading to see what our happy patients say about us.

"Dr. Murphy has been my dentist for a few years now and I enjoy going to his office. Everyone there is friendly, him and the staff alike, and they always remember me and ask about what’s going on in my life. It’s a very friendly environment."


- Nichole Hall

"Dr Murphy and his staff are simply amazing. They care about us as people, not just a number, a mouth or some $. They are in contact frequently, will work with us on any needs, and pay attention to details better than any medical office I have ever dealt with. dr. Murphy does not recommend unnecessary services and he is always pleasant and concerned with his patients being comfortable. The office manager, Jessica, is always smiling, and is wonderful to work with. I feel respected and human! Every time I call or they call me, they listen, communicate well and are ALWAYS pleasant. I asked a friend for referral in our area because we had been having bad experiences – they recommended Dr. Murphy and said “no drama there” – boy was she right!!! Highly recommend Dr. Murphy and his entire staff."


- Beth Bosak

Effective Treatment for Gum Disease in Batavia, IL

Periodontitis can majorly impact a person's oral health and quality of life. Our dental team is here to help you regain your smile and confidence. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.

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