About Gum Disease in Mission Viejo, CA

Progression of Gum Disease

When your gums and supporting jaw bone are healthy, complete and attached securely to your teeth, your teeth are firmly in position and stable. Healthy gums naturally attach to the teeth slightly below the gum line. They are pink, firm and do not bleed easily.

Bacteria gets onto your teeth and below the gum line from food and other sources. If the bacteria is not regularly removed by brushing and flossing, it forms a sticky film on your teeth known as plaque.

The bacterial plaque gives off toxins that eat away at the tooth enamel and gum tissue and cause the gums to become inflamed. This is the first stage of gum disease.

As the bacterial plaque continues to accumulate, the disease progresses in severity. The gums detach from the teeth, the inflammation worsens and the supporting bone around the infected teeth is lost.

Gingivitis and periodontitis. The mildest level of gum disease is a bacterial infection of the gums only and is known as gingivitis. With gingivitis there is some redness and non-painful swelling of the gums, and the gums may bleed when brushing. At this stage there is no detachment of the gums from the teeth and no destruction of the supporting ligament and bone. The disease can be stopped and your oral health easily restored if the bacterial infection is thoroughly eliminated with thorough cleaning. The second level of gum disease is more severe and is known as periodontitis. Periodontitis is an infection of the gums and the supporting bone and causes the gums and ligaments to detach from the teeth and the supporting bone to be lost. As periodontitis progresses, the gums detach further and pockets develop under the gum line between the gums and the teeth. The plaque continues to accumulate under the gum line and hardens into calculus (also known as tartar). The calculus irritates the gums into further detachment and gives greater surface area for more bacteria to accumulate. As this accumulation continues, the inflammation, gum detachment and bone loss is accelerated.

Stages of periodontitis. Your gums naturally attach to your teeth about 2-3mm below the visible gum line. Gingivitis can exist under the gum line , but there will be no gum detachment from the tooth and no loss of ligament or supporting bone. Periodontitis has started when the gums start to detach from the teeth, forming pockets, and the ligaments and bone have started to dissolve away. Periodontitis advances from mild to moderate to severe. Our doctors use a small probe to measure the depth of gum pockets and can see the extent of bone loss in X-ray images. Mild periodontitis The gum pocket depth below the gum line is between 3mm and 4mm and there is some ligament and bone loss around the tooth. Moderate periodontitis Gum pocket depth is between 4mm and 7mm and the ligament and bone loss has advanced. Severe periodontitis Gum pocket depth is now 7mm or greater and the ligament and bone loss is extensive. Tooth roots are only 10 to 12 mm deep and when the pocket depth is advanced well beyond 7mm the tooth is in severe danger. Teeth can become loose at this point and may have to be extracted.

Who Should See a Periodontist for Gum Disease Treatment?

Anyone can receive significant benefits from seeing Drs. Setya, Bergman, or Reshad for gum disease treatment. Because of their specialized training, they can often save teeth that would otherwise be lost to gum disease.

People who are pregnant, have had an organ transplant, are smokers or who have diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, cancer, heart disease or other similar health issues can especially benefit from the doctors’ skilled diagnosis and treatment. These types of gum disease cases tend to be more complicated and require an expert periodontist to effectively treat them.

Definition of common periodontitis terminology

Periodontics: Periodontics is a dental specialty that involves different oral structures, especially the gums, teeth, and bones.

Bone Graft: A dental bone graft is a procedure to add more bone in a part of the jaw where bone has been lost or where additional support is needed.

Tartar: Tartar is a hard yellowish substance that forms on your teeth and causes them to decay if it is not removed.

Periodontal Surgery: Periodontal surgery is a dental procedure to restore the look and function of teeth, gums, and bone damage due to severe gum disease.

About Our Dentistry

Why You'll Love About Gum Disease at OC Perio & Implants Dental Group

We go above and beyond to make about gum disease feel calm and effortless — pairing the latest technology with a gentle, unhurried approach designed entirely around you.

Here are just a few reasons our patients love us:

• Expert Periodontists — Our team consists of three highly trained specialists with years of experience treating gum disease.

• Advanced Technology — We use state-of-the-art techniques like laser therapy and Perioscope-assisted cleanings for precision and comfort.

• Patient-Focused Care — Your comfort is our priority—we provide gentle, effective treatment with personalized care.

• Proven Results — We’ve helped countless patients restore their gum health and prevent further complications.