Periodontist in Las Vegas, NV
Safeguarding Your Smile’s Foundation — specialized periodontal care for healthy gums and lasting oral health in the Las Vegas area.
What is Periodontal Disease?
You may be an expert at brushing your teeth, but do you also pay attention to your gums? While most patients are aware of the dangers that cavities pose, they frequently overlook the importance of gum health. Many individuals suffer from periodontal disease, also known as gum disease, leading to serious problems if left untreated. The health of your gums impacts your teeth—and your entire body. That’s why our periodontist las vegas practice offers comprehensive periodontal care.
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The first sign of gum disease is gingivitis, a condition where gums become inflamed. This is usually caused by plaque build-up, a sticky bacterial film that forms on teeth. Plaque irritates the gums, making them red, swollen, and more likely to bleed. Gingivitis is the earliest stage and can often be reversed with good oral hygiene and professional care. However, without treatment, gingivitis progresses to periodontitis.
Periodontitis, a severe form of gum disease, can wreak havoc on your oral health. Bacterial infection causes gums to recede and pull away from teeth while destroying supporting tissue and bone. This can lead to tooth loss and the need for procedures like dental implants to replace missing teeth. While periodontitis has no cure, our periodontics specialists help control and slow its progression through advanced treatments.
What are the Symptoms of Gum Disease?
Periodontal disease ranges from mild gum inflammation to severe damage affecting soft tissue and bone supporting your teeth. Recognizing symptoms early allows for more effective treatment and better outcomes. Common warning signs include:
Bleeding gums during brushing or flossing
Red, swollen, or tender gum tissue
Persistent bad breath or taste
Receding gums exposing tooth roots
Loose teeth or changes in bite
Pus between teeth and gums
Sensitive teeth due to exposed roots
If you notice any of these symptoms, it’s important to see Dr. John M. Quinn or Dr. Paul Leatham for diagnosis and treatment.
Periodontal Treatment Options
Early-stage gum disease typically responds well to professional cleaning combined with improved oral hygiene. Our hygienists remove plaque and tartar while providing education on proper brushing and flossing techniques. For more advanced cases, specialized procedures become necessary.
Scaling and root planing represent the gold standard in non-invasive periodontal treatment. This deep cleaning removes bacterial deposits from above and below the gum line while smoothing tooth roots to prevent future buildup. The procedure reduces pocket depth, inflammation, and bleeding. Many patients require periodic maintenance to sustain periodontal health.
For severe cases involving bone loss or deep pockets, surgical intervention may be needed. Modern techniques allow us to regenerate lost tissue and save teeth that might otherwise require extraction. When tooth loss occurs, dental implants provide an excellent replacement option, preserving jawbone structure and maintaining facial aesthetics.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between gingivitis and periodontitis?
Gingivitis and periodontitis represent different stages of gum disease at Smiles for Life Family Dentistry. Gingivitis is the earliest stage, characterized by red, swollen gums that bleed during brushing or flossing. This mild inflammation occurs when plaque buildup irritates gum tissue but hasn’t yet caused permanent damage. Importantly, gingivitis is completely reversible with professional cleaning and improved oral hygiene, often showing improvement within two weeks of treatment. Periodontitis develops when untreated gingivitis progresses, causing gums to recede and pull away from teeth while destroying supporting tissue and bone. This advanced stage creates deep pockets between teeth and gums where bacteria collect, leading to tooth mobility and potential tooth loss. Unlike gingivitis, periodontitis causes irreversible damage that cannot be undone, though Dr. John Quinn and Dr. Paul Leatham can control and slow its progression through advanced treatments. Signs you’ve progressed from gingivitis to periodontitis include persistent bad breath, loose teeth, changes in bite, pus between teeth and gums, and noticeable gum recession exposing tooth roots. Contact us immediately at (702) 795-2273 if you notice any symptoms, as early intervention is crucial for preventing permanent damage.
How much does periodontal treatment cost in Las Vegas?
Periodontal treatment costs at Smiles for Life Family Dentistry vary significantly based on disease severity and procedures needed. For early-stage gingivitis, professional cleaning combined with improved home care typically costs $150-$350 and may reverse the condition completely. Scaling and root planing for periodontitis ranges from $150-$300 per quadrant ($600-$1,200 for full mouth treatment), with most patients requiring treatment in two to four quadrants depending on disease extent. Advanced surgical procedures like gum grafting cost $600-$1,200 per tooth, while bone grafting ranges from $600-$1,000 plus additional costs for multiple teeth. Most dental insurance plans cover 50-80% of periodontal treatment when medically necessary, as gum disease threatens tooth stability and overall health. Dr. Quinn and Dr. Leatham’s team works directly with all PPO insurance providers to maximize your benefits and provide accurate cost estimates before treatment. For patients without insurance, we offer our dental savings plan with 20% discounts on all services, plus financing through CareCredit, LendingClub, and Sunbit. Treating gum disease early saves substantial money compared to addressing advanced periodontitis requiring surgery or tooth replacement. Call (702) 795-2273 for your periodontal evaluation and personalized cost estimate in Spring Valley, Las Vegas.
Is gum disease reversible?
Gum disease reversibility at Smiles for Life Family Dentistry depends entirely on which stage you’re experiencing. Gingivitis, the earliest stage of gum disease, is completely reversible with proper treatment and improved oral hygiene. Dr. John Quinn or Dr. Paul Leatham can eliminate gingivitis through professional cleaning combined with your commitment to thorough brushing, daily flossing, and regular dental visits. Many patients see significant improvement within two weeks of treatment. However, once gingivitis progresses to periodontitis, the damage becomes irreversible because the bone and tissue supporting your teeth have been permanently destroyed. While we cannot reverse bone loss or regenerate destroyed tissue completely, we can halt disease progression and prevent further damage through scaling and root planing, periodontal maintenance, and in severe cases, surgical intervention. According to the Centers for Disease Control, nearly 48% of American adults over 30 have some form of periodontal disease, making early detection crucial. The key is catching problems during the reversible gingivitis stage before permanent damage occurs. Regular biannual checkups allow our team to identify early warning signs like bleeding gums, inflammation, or plaque buildup before they progress. Schedule your periodontal screening at (702) 795-2273 to determine your gum health status and receive appropriate treatment.
What are the warning signs of gum disease?
Recognizing gum disease warning signs early allows for more effective treatment at Smiles for Life Family Dentistry. The most common symptom is bleeding gums during brushing or flossing, even when using a gentle technique—healthy gums should never bleed. Other key indicators include red, swollen, or tender gum tissue that appears puffy or irritated rather than firm and pink. Persistent bad breath or an unpleasant taste in your mouth that doesn’t improve despite proper oral hygiene typically signals bacterial infection below the gumline. Gum recession, making teeth appear longer, exposes sensitive root surfaces and creates an aged appearance. Advanced symptoms include loose or shifting teeth that affect your bite alignment, pus or discharge between teeth and gums indicating active infection, and increased tooth sensitivity due to exposed roots. Many patients don’t realize they have gum disease because it’s often painless in the early stages, developing gradually over time. This makes regular dental checkups essential—Dr. Quinn or Dr. Leatham can detect problems during examinations before obvious symptoms appear by measuring pocket depths and evaluating gum attachment. If you notice any of these warning signs, contact us immediately at (702) 795-2273 rather than waiting for your next scheduled appointment. Early intervention prevents progression to advanced periodontitis requiring expensive, invasive treatments. We serve Spring Valley and the surrounding Las Vegas communities at 8930 W Sunset Rd, Suite 190.
How often do I need periodontal maintenance after treatment?
Periodontal maintenance frequency at Smiles for Life Family Dentistry depends on your gum disease severity and response to initial treatment. Most patients with a history of periodontitis require professional cleanings every three to four months rather than the standard six-month intervals for patients with healthy gums. This increased frequency is essential because periodontal disease is a chronic condition that requires ongoing management to prevent reinfection and disease progression. During maintenance visits, Dr. John Quinn or Dr. Paul Leatham thoroughly removes plaque and tartar from above and below the gumline, measures pocket depths to monitor healing progress, and evaluates gum attachment to ensure treatments remain effective. Some patients with well-controlled moderate periodontitis may eventually extend to four-month intervals, while those with aggressive disease or poor healing may need appointments every two to three months initially. Factors affecting your maintenance schedule include smoking status, diabetes or other systemic conditions affecting healing, genetics, stress levels, and your commitment to home oral hygiene. Most dental insurance plans recognize periodontal maintenance as medically necessary and provide coverage for these more frequent appointments. Skipping maintenance appointments allows bacteria to recolonize treated areas, potentially undoing progress and requiring retreatment. Schedule your periodontal maintenance at (702) 795-2273 to protect your investment in gum disease treatment and maintain long-term oral health.
Meet Our Expert Team
At Smiles for Life Family Dentistry, Drs. Quinn and Leatham combine extensive training with compassionate patient care. Dr. Quinn brings years of experience in periodontics and implant placement, while Dr. Leatham is renowned for his precision with same day procedures and aesthetic solutions. Their collaborative approach ensures comprehensive treatment tailored to each patient’s needs.
Our doctors stay current with the latest advances in periodontal care through continuing education. This commitment to excellence, combined with our welcoming environment and state-of-the-art facility, provides patients with the highest quality care available in Las Vegas.
Visit us in Spring Valley, Las Vegas
Located at 8930 W Sunset Rd Ste 190, Las Vegas, NV 89148, we serve Spring Valley and surrounding communities with comprehensive periodontal services. Our practice philosophy centers on preventive care, early intervention, and minimally invasive procedures whenever possible. We understand that dental anxiety affects many patients, so we prioritize comfort and clear communication throughout treatment.
- 8930 W Sunset Rd Ste 190, Las Vegas, NV 89148
- 702-795-2273
- Mon-Tue, Thu-Fri: 8am-5pm
Wed: 7am-6pm
Sat-Sun: Closed
