155 E. 55th St., Suite 301, New York, NY 10022
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155 E. 55th St.
Suite 301
New York, NY 10022
Existing Patients: (646) 440-3101
New Patients: (646) 419-8726
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Gum disease is the leading cause of adult tooth loss and a common, yet often overlooked, oral health challenge. Many adults will experience some form of periodontal inflammation in their lifetime, but with timely attention most cases can be prevented or controlled. At Chroma Dental, our approach emphasizes early detection, practical prevention, and treatment plans tailored to each patient so teeth and gums remain healthy, functional, and comfortable.
Periodontal disease begins as inflammation of the gums and, if left unchecked, can erode the structures that anchor teeth in the jaw. This isn’t simply a cosmetic issue: progressive tissue loss can change how you chew, speak, and how your smile looks. Recognizing the problem early is the single best way to preserve tooth support and avoid more invasive procedures later on.
The financial and emotional cost of losing teeth is significant, but the physical consequences are more immediate: increased pocketing around teeth, gum recession, and bone loss all undermine long-term oral function. Regular monitoring and maintenance can stop these changes before they become irreversible, which is why routine dental care and attentive home hygiene are essential.
Knowing what to watch for helps patients act sooner. If you notice persistent redness, bleeding during brushing or flossing, bad breath that won’t go away, or teeth that feel unstable, don’t ignore these signals. Early intervention can limit damage and restore a healthy foundation for your smile.
Common warning signs of periodontal disease include:
Inflamed and red gums
Bleeding when brushing or flossing
Receding gums and exposed tooth root surfaces
Sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures
Bad breath or a bad taste in the mouth
Teeth that feel loose
New spaces developing between the teeth or a change in the bite
Change in the fit of existing partial dentures
Discharge around the teeth and gums
Sharp or dull pain when biting down or chewing food
Oral tissues do not exist in isolation. Chronic inflammation in the mouth can influence systemic physiology, and research increasingly links periodontal inflammation with conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and respiratory issues. While the exact relationships are complex, maintaining periodontal health is a practical step toward better overall health.
Beyond systemic concerns, untreated gum disease can accelerate other dental problems. Cavities, tooth wear from shifting, and difficulties with restorative treatments become more likely when the gums and bone are compromised. Protecting your periodontal tissues supports both functional outcomes and long-term restorative success.
Prevention is the cornerstone of care. Professional cleanings, periodic periodontal assessments, and a home routine that addresses plaque buildup are the most effective tools clinicians and patients have to limit inflammation and protect oral and systemic health.
Gingivitis is the first, reversible stage of gum disease. It is driven by plaque and bacterial toxins that irritate gum tissue, producing redness, swelling, and a tendency to bleed. Because pain is often minimal or absent, many people delay care until the condition advances — which makes routine exams so important.
When gingivitis is addressed promptly through thorough cleanings and an improved oral hygiene regimen, the gums typically return to a healthy state. Education is a key part of treatment: patients learn targeted brushing and flossing techniques, the role of interdental cleaning, and how lifestyle factors such as smoking and blood sugar control affect healing.
Commitment to maintenance prevents recurrent flare-ups. For most patients, a combination of expertly delivered periodontal hygiene and consistent at-home care stops gingivitis from progressing and keeps gums resilient over time.
Periodontitis is the destructive stage that follows untreated gingivitis. In this phase, the bacterial challenge and inflammatory response begin to damage the connective tissues and bone that support teeth. Pocket depths deepen, and the architecture that secures teeth can be lost if treatment is delayed.
Managing periodontitis shifts the goal from simple reversal to stabilization and regeneration where possible. Treatment focuses on controlling bacterial sources, reducing inflammation, and preserving remaining bone and soft tissues. In many cases, interventions can arrest progression and improve the environment for long-term health.
Decisions about the scope and timing of care depend on the severity and pattern of disease, patient medical history, and restorative goals. A personalized plan balances the least invasive effective methods with advanced therapies when greater support or regeneration is required.
Successful periodontal care begins with a careful diagnostic review: clinical probing, full-mouth assessments, and targeted imaging when indicated. From there, clinicians propose a treatment sequence that often begins with conservative measures and escalates only as necessary to protect form and function.
Patients should expect clear explanations of options, the expected outcomes of each approach, and a maintenance plan to preserve gains. Ongoing monitoring after active therapy is essential: periodontal conditions respond to both professional care and daily habits, so the long-term strategy includes regular checkups and hygiene reinforcement.
At Chroma Dental, we combine modern tools with evidence-based techniques to help patients regain and maintain periodontal health while prioritizing comfort and predictable results.
When periodontal disease is detected early or localized, non-surgical approaches are typically the first step. Professional therapies such as thorough scaling and root planing remove plaque and hardened deposits below the gumline, giving inflamed tissues a chance to recover.
Adjunctive measures — including localized antimicrobial delivery or short courses of systemic medication when clinically warranted — can help reduce bacterial load and inflammation. Crucially, these interventions work best when paired with a disciplined home care routine.
Many patients respond very well to conservative care and long-term maintenance. The objective is to reduce pocket depth, resolve inflammation, and restore a gum environment that is easily kept clean between visits.
When pockets are too deep for nonsurgical instruments or when tissue and bone have been lost, surgical care may be recommended. Periodontal surgery allows direct access for cleaning, reshaping of bone, and repositioning of tissues to create a healthier contour and improve hygiene access.
Regenerative techniques — such as bone grafting, guided tissue regeneration, and the use of biologic agents — aim to rebuild lost support where possible. These procedures focus on restoring the foundations that hold teeth, improving function and the prospects for long-term stability.
Contemporary protocols also incorporate minimally invasive options and laser-assisted techniques when appropriate. The selection of surgery versus conservative care is made collaboratively, with attention to clinical need, patient preferences, and the goal of preserving natural dentition whenever feasible.
Modern periodontal treatment can halt disease progression and, in many cases, restore health to damaged tissues. With accurate diagnosis, a clear plan, and a commitment to maintenance, patients can keep their smiles healthy and functional for years to come.
If you would like to learn more about periodontal care and the options available, please contact us for more information.
Most people don’t realize that periodontal disease is the leading cause of tooth loss among adults. According to statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one out of every two adults over the age of 30 in the United States has periodontal disease.
You may be surprised to learn that the human mouth is home to a wide variety of microbes. The fact is that over 700 different strains of bacteria have been detected in the oral cavity. Although some of these bacteria are beneficial, others are harmful to oral health. Without proper oral hygiene and routine dental care, these harmful bacteria can cause tooth decay and gum disease, compromising both your oral health and overall wellbeing.
In addition to inadequate oral hygiene and infrequent professional care, other factors, including smoking, genetic tendencies, and unchecked diabetes, can contribute to the escalation of periodontal disease.
Your gums and teeth have an interdependent relationship, which means healthy teeth depend on the support of healthy gums. Also, taking care of your smile does more than keep your teeth and gums in optimal condition; good oral health also supports systemic health. In addition to being the leading cause of tooth loss in adults, researchers are finding more and more links between periodontal disease and a number of medical problems, including heart disease, stroke, diabetes, respiratory problems, and adverse pregnancy outcomes such as pre-term and low birth-weight babies.
If you notice that your gums are bleeding with the slightest pressure while brushing or flossing, it’s a sign of gingivitis. Although gingivitis is the earliest stage of gum disease, it can easily be reversed with deeper cleanings as well as an improved regimen of oral hygiene at home.
In the absence of professional treatment and better home care, gingivitis progresses to the next stage, which is known as periodontitis. In this stage, the connective tissue and bone that hold the teeth in place begin to break down with an increase in pocketing between the teeth and bone, gum recession, and bone loss. Without proper treatment by your dentist, periodontitis will progress from a mild to moderate loss of supporting tissue to the destruction of the bone around the teeth.
Although gingivitis can often be reversed with improved oral hygiene and professional cleanings, as periodontal disease advances, more extensive procedures are required to halt its progression. Based on a complete assessment of your periodontal health and a review of possible contributing factors, our office will recommend the best options in care. Treatment for periodontitis may include a series of deeper cleanings known as root planing and scaling, surgical procedures to reduce pocket depth, bone or tissue grafts, laser procedures, or antimicrobial medications.
The cost of care depends on the type of procedures required to restore your periodontal health. If you have dental insurance, plans often cover treatment to prevent gum disease as well as many procedures to treat the various stages of gum disease. Our goal is to help patients restore and maintain good oral health. We do all we can to help you begin care without additional stress or delay. Our business office works with you to maximize your benefits and provide easier, more convenient payment options.
By seeing our office regularly for care and doing your best to eat a healthy diet and practice good oral hygiene, you can keep your smile in tip-top shape as well as protect your overall wellbeing.
At the office of Chroma Dental, we provide a comprehensive range of services to address all your oral healthcare needs. You can rest assured that your smile is in the best of hands at our office. Our skilled and experienced team maintains a position at the forefront of advances in care and remains dedicated to providing the highest quality of skilled and compassionate treatment.
