Treatment

Periodontal treatment methods depend upon the type and severity of the disease. Your dentist  will evaluate for periodontal disease and recommend  a plan for maintenance or restoration.

Periodontal disease progresses as the sulcus (pocket or space) between the tooth and gums gets filled with bacteria, plaque, and tartar, causing irritation to the surrounding tissues.  When these irritants remain in the pocket space, they can cause damage to the gums and eventually, the bone that supports the teeth!

If the disease is caught in the early stages of gingivitis, and no damage has been done, extra cleanings will be recommended.  You will also be given instructions on improving your daily oral hygiene habits and if your condition is not improving with the extra attention,  you may be referred to a periodontist.

If the disease has progressed to more advanced stages, a specialist will do scaling and root planing (deep cleaning)  one quadrant of the mouth at a time while the area is numb.  In this procedure, tartar, plaque, and toxins are removed from above and below the gum line (scaling) and rough spots on root surfaces are made smooth (planing).  This procedure helps gum tissue to heal and pockets to shrink.  Medications, special medicated mouth rinses, and an electric tooth brush may be recommended to help control infection and healing.

If the pockets do not heal after scaling and root planing, periodontal surgery may be needed to reduce pocket depths, making teeth easier to clean.