Periodontal Disease Treatment

Once your periodontal health has been evaluated, we work with you to determine the treatment options that will control the disease and bring you back to health. Treatment varies with how far the disease has progressed: diagnosed early, simple non-surgical therapy may be sufficient; where pockets are deep and significant bone has been lost, surgical therapy may be necessary.

Once periodontitis has been controlled, ongoing periodontal maintenance sustains the result and keeps the infection under control.

Non-surgical, laser-assisted treatment

We aim to achieve periodontal health in the least invasive and most cost-effective manner. This is often accomplished with scaling and root planing: a careful cleaning of the root surfaces that removes plaque and calculus from deep periodontal pockets and smooths the root to remove bacterial toxins. On a case-by-case basis we support this with a periodontal laser, which can mean reduced bleeding, swelling and discomfort.

After scaling and root planing, many patients need no further active treatment. Most, however, benefit from ongoing maintenance therapy. When non-surgical therapy does not achieve full health, surgery may be indicated to restore the damaged anatomy and make daily hygiene effective again.

Pocket reduction therapy

Healthy bone and gum tissue fit snugly around the teeth. Periodontal disease destroys this support and forms pockets around the teeth that deepen over time, collecting more bacteria and causing further bone and tissue loss.

In a pocket reduction procedure the gum tissue is gently folded back and the disease-causing bacteria are removed before the tissue is secured back into place. Where needed, irregular surfaces of damaged bone are smoothed so the gum can reattach to healthy bone. Shallower pockets are easier for you and your dental team to keep clean, increasing the chances of keeping your natural teeth.

Regenerative procedures

When the bone supporting your teeth has been destroyed, regenerative procedures can reverse some of the damage. The gum tissue is folded back and the bacteria removed; membranes, bone grafts or tissue-stimulating proteins are then used to encourage the natural ability of your body to regenerate bone and soft tissue.

Combined with daily oral hygiene and professional maintenance, regeneration reduces pocket depth, repairs damage from periodontitis, and improves the long-term outlook of your natural teeth.