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San Rafael, CA 94903

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Home / Dental Services / Periodontal Dentistry / Gum Disease Diagnosis

Gum Disease Diagnosis
DR. IGOR OCHEV, SAN RAFAEL DENTIST

“How do I know if I have gum disease?”

Dr. Igor Ochev gets this question quite often. When you come in for a routine checkup, we diagnose any gum disease as part of your exam. Medically called Periodontal Disease, it affects people of all ages and the risk increases significantly with age. In fact, nearly half of adults aged 30 and over in America have some form of gum disease.

DIAGNOSING GUM DISEASE
What to Expect

We use a small periodontal probe gently to measure the pockets or spaces between your teeth and gums. The depth of a healthy pocket measures three millimeters or less and doesn’t bleed. As gum disease progresses, pockets usually get deeper.

Based on the depths of your pockets, the amount of bleeding, inflammation, as well as other indicators, we make a diagnosis that falls into one of these categories:

Gingivitis

Gingivitis is the first stage of gum disease. Plaque and its toxin by-products irritate your gums, making them tender, inflamed, and likely to bleed.

Periodontitis

Plaque hardens into tartar. As plaque and tartar continue to build up, your gums begin to recede from your teeth. Deeper pockets form between your gums and teeth and become filled with bacteria and pus. Your gums become very irritated, inflamed, and bleed easily. Slight to moderate bone loss may be present.

Advanced Periodontitis

Your teeth lose more support as your gums, bone, and periodontal ligament continue to be destroyed. Unless treated, your affected teeth will become very loose and may be lost. Generalized moderate to severe bone loss may be present.

Because gum disease affects your overall health, we think it’s important to find out if you have it and if so, how mild or severe it is. If you haven’t received a dental checkup in over a year, it’s one more reason to come in soon. Beyond a gum disease diagnosis, we hope you’ll choose us as your partner in your overall oral health.

Related to Gum Disease Diagnosis

Periodontal Dentistry

Warning signs and symptoms of gum disease. Plus, the connection between this disease and other ones.

Gum Disease Treatment

Get the appropriate recommendations, from cleanings to surgery, based on the severity of the disease.

Gum Disease Control

While gingivitis is reversible, periodontitis is not. Let us help you reverse or manage your gum disease.

Patient Savings & Financial Options

At EvoSmile, dental care is empathy care.

Your oral health profoundly affects your overall health. For this reason, we would never want you to hold off on your dental care because of cost — whether or not you carry insurance. This is why we offer the following solutions to ease your worry and your pocketbook.

New Patient Offer

Get a comprehensive dental exam including necessary X-rays, an oral cancer screening, a periodontal exam, a TMJ evaluation, and a regular cleaning.

No Insurance? Save with Us

If you don’t have insurance, you'll want to take a look at our very own savings plans. We designed them with your dental needs in mind.

Financing & Payment Options

If you’re interested in affordable financing and monthly payments, we offer options from CareCredit and Cherry.

Insurance Benefits

We’re an out-of-network dental office that accepts insured patients with PPO plans. Get answers to commonly asked questions.