Dr. James S. Kim, DDS. SC

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Dr. James S. Kim, DDS. SC > Services > Periodontal Therapy and Gingival Grafts

Dr. James Kim specializes in treating gum disease and reconstructing your gums to restore optimal oral health.

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Periodontal Therapy and Gingivl Grafts in Wausu WI

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently published a report indicating that nearly half of all American adults have some form of gum disease. Are you one of them?

Symptoms of Gum Disease

Gum disease is a chronic infectious condition in which the gum tissue becomes inflamed and often infected. In the beginning, the symptoms are often so mild that you may not even realize you have it; however, as it progresses, it can become painful and cause serious problems.

Some of the symptoms associated with gum disease include:

Puffy, reddened, or bleeding gums
A bad taste in the mouth
Bad breath
Pain or sensitivity when you chew
Gum recession that exposes the root of your tooth
Loose teeth
Changes in your bite

Treating Gum Disease

Periodontal disease is a progressive disease. If it is left untreated, it will only continue to get worse. We have a number of treatment options available to help, regardless of how far your gum disease has progressed.

If your gum disease is still mild, you may be able to stop the progression by simply improving your brushing and flossing routine. Good oral hygiene habits and regular professional cleanings are the most important tools you have when it comes to preventing periodontal disease. We are happy to help you create a routine that works for you, and we can even provide demonstrations of good brushing and flossing technique to make sure you are getting the most benefit out of this important routine.

If you need a little extra help controlling your gum disease, other treatments we often use include prescription mouth rinses or oral and local antibiotics. We may also perform a deep cleaning to treat the infection and remove bacteria, called root scaling and planing. This may be performed manually or with a laser, depending on your individual needs.

Surgery may be necessary to protect your teeth and reverse the damage if your periodontal disease has progressed to the point where a large amount of your tooth root is exposed. Without repair, you may experience painful sensitivity of the teeth, and you may eventually lose them. Dr. Kim is skilled in the use of gingival grafts to repair your gums.

What Are Gingival Grafts?

Gingival grafts are an advanced technique in which a small amount of tissue is reattached to your gums to bring back your original, healthy gumline. This tissue may be collected from a donor site within your mouth or obtained from a tissue bank. Because this surgery can be performed in a variety of ways, Dr. Kim will discuss your options with you and recommend the best one for you based on your unique situation.

Contact Our Wausau, WI Office Today

Dr. Kim’s skill in this procedure makes it possible for you to have surgery in a comfortable and convenient location, performed by the dentist you know and trust. To find out more about periodontal disease and schedule your examination and cleaning, please contact our office today.

Meet Our Doctor:

James S. Kim DDS

Dr. James S. Kim received his Bachelor of Science degree from Loyola University of Chicago and his DDS from the prestigious University of Illinois College of Dentistry, also in Chicago. He has maintained a private practice in Wausau with an emphasis in family, cosmetic, implant, and sedation dentistry since 2000.

Dr. Kim is committed to staying current in the dental field, attending 150-200 hours of continuing education per year. Additionally, he has trained with some of the best clinicians in the world such as Dr. Frank Spear at The Seattle Institute ...

What is gingivitis?

Gingivitis, the earliest stage of gum disease (periodontal disease), can often be identified by its symptoms, including red, swollen, or tender gums that often bleed easily.

Gingivitis is reversible if it is treated in the early stages; however, if it is allowed to progress into periodontitis, a far more advanced form of gum disease, it will cause bone damage and will no longer be reversible.

In many cases, treating gingivitis is as simple as improving your home care routine. We’ll review your routine and look for areas that need improvement. Even changing the angle at which you hold your toothbrush while you are brushing can make a difference! In other cases, an antimicrobial product might be prescribed to treat the developing infection.

Regular cleanings and examinations are necessary because gum disease doesn’t always present with symptoms. It’s crucial to catch gingivitis as early as possible for more successful treatment.

We take gum disease seriously at the office of Dr. James Kim. Did you know that gum disease is one of the leading causes of tooth loss in adults? Studies are increasingly connecting gum disease to serious diseases, such as diabetes, heart attacks, and strokes.

If your gums are red and irritated, or your gums bleed when you brush or floss, call our office at 715-849-5667 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Kim to start treating your gingivitis now.

What options are available for treating advanced gum disease?

While early gum disease can often be treated with simple changes to your home health care habits and a good professional cleaning, one of the challenges posed by gum disease is that once it progresses past mild gingivitis, the damage it does is irreversible. The goal then becomes stopping further progression.

Treatments for Gum Disease in Wausau, WI

Improving oral hygiene habits – We will review your home care routine and make sure that you are using proper techniques to get the most out of this important habit.
Stopping smoking – Smoking contributes directly to periodontitis (advanced gum disease). Plus, it makes it harder to heal from the infection and treatments.
Oral and local antibiotics – Gum disease is a chronic infection caused by bacteria in the periodontal pockets (the spaces between your teeth and your gums). Destroying these bacteria will help stop the damage they cause.
Deep cleaning methods – Your hygienist removes plaque, tartar, and bacteria from beneath the gumline, smoothing out the surface so the pockets can tighten around the teeth and bacteria are less likely to reinfect.

If you have experienced severe gum recession, surgery is also an option to repair your gum tissue and cover your exposed roots.

Contact Us

Wausau dentist Dr. James Kim is skilled in treating advanced gum disease and performing gingival grafts. Call today for an examination and consultation.