Periodontal treatment methods depend upon the type and severity of the disease.  Dr. Anderson along with your dental hygienist will evaluate for periodontal disease and recommend the appropriate treatment.

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, one to two regular cleanings will be recommended.  You will also be given instructions on improving your daily oral hygiene habits and having regular dental cleanings.

If the disease has progressed to more advanced stages, a special periodontal cleaning called scaling and root planing (deep cleaning) will be recommended.  It is usually done in two quadrants of the mouth at a time while both areas are 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.  When root planing and scaling is performed, your hygienist will sterilize your periodontal pockets with our laser. The laser is a wonderful advanced tool in the fight against gum disease. Not only can the laser be used to remove diseased gum tissue, but it can also be used to sterilize gum pockets. Deep inside these gum pockets there exists a group of bacteria, which are very resistant to most forms of treatment. With the laser, we can use low levels of energy and kill these bacteria-in effect sterilizing the pockets. This form of treatment has never been possible before. Gum disease is site specific and we now have the ablility to treat these specific areas. Historically, attemping to treat these specific areas with antibotics has never worked well and actually created super-resistant bacteria. Using the laser to clean and sterilize these specific areas of gum disease as they form in our mouths represents state of the art therapy.

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.  Your dentist may also recommend that you see a Periodontist (specialist of the gums and supporting bone).