Gum Care Clinic

Periodontists have spent four years at a university hospital in gum research and clinical practice — they are experts in gum care.

Our periodontists, who specialize in diagnosing, treating and maintaining gum health, care for your gums attentively and systematically.

Periodontal care from a periodontist

What is periodontitis?

Periodontitis is a bacterial disease of the mouth and one of the most common diseases in Korea today.

Also called gum disease, it becomes more common with age.

Cause

Bacterial plaque on the teeth that is not removed builds up into tartar, and toxins released by the plaque cause inflammation in the surrounding tissue.

Symptoms

Bleeding when brushing or with the slightest touch
Dark red gums
Gums pulling away from the teeth, or a dull ache when chewing
Loose teeth
Bad breath

Treatment

Medication alone cannot solve it;

non-surgical or surgical gum treatment at a dental clinic is needed

Why gum treatment matters

The foundation of oral health

Gums are the foundation of oral health: if they deteriorate, even healthy teeth may have to be removed.

Worsening of systemic diseases

When gum disease becomes severe, bacteria can spread through the bloodstream to the whole body, which may worsen conditions such as diabetes (6×), cardiovascular disease (2.2×), vascular dementia (1.6×) and stroke (2.8×) .

Early detection and treatment matter

Most gum disease is chronic and progresses without pain, so by the time pain brings you in, it has usually already progressed to the point where the tooth must be removed. That is why early detection and treatment are important.

Risk of recurrence

Gum disease is infectious and tends to recur: if the bacteria are not removed, neighboring teeth are affected, and without regular check-ups it easily comes back.

Older patients and long-term effects

It becomes more likely with age, and the further it progresses, the harder it is to return to the original state.

Stages of gum disease

Stage 1

Stage 2

Stage 3

Stage 4

Healthy pink gums

Oral check-up and scaling every 6 months

Early gingivitis

Bleeding when brushing and a feeling of swollen gums

Moderate periodontitis

Dark red gums that bleed at the slightest touch, marked swelling, and teeth beginning to loosen

Advanced periodontitis

Bleeding and pus, severe pain, or very loose teeth

Types of gum treatment

Non-surgical treatment

Surgical treatment

Scaling

A procedure to remove plaque and tartar from the tooth surface: hard tartar that brushing cannot remove is cleaned off with ultrasonic instruments.

For patients with sensitive teeth, we use an anesthetic mouth rinse.

Root planing

A procedure that removes plaque and tartar from shallow areas below the gumline without anesthesia to leave the root surfaces clean.

Subgingival curettage

A procedure that removes tartar and inflamed tissue from deep areas below the gumline under local anesthesia to clean the inside of the gum pocket.

Periodontal flap surgery

When chronic gum disease cannot be resolved with curettage, this procedure opens the gum to remove deep-seated tartar and inflammation.

Depending on the case, it may be combined with periodontal regeneration using bone grafts, or with bone recontouring to reshape the bone.

Gum treatment: before & after

Before

After

Before

After

Gum grafting

When factors such as gum disease, excessive chewing force, malocclusion or orthodontic forces cause the gum (gingiva) to recede, or to build firm gum tissue around teeth or implants, gum grafting is performed.

The appearance of unsightly areas improves, and reshaping the gums gives them a structure that resists bacteria, resulting in healthier gums.