Periodontal Treatment

The main point of periodontal treatment is to clean out the bacteria that form in the pockets around the teeth. It also is needed to prevent any further destruction of tissue and bone. Our provider will review your medical history to identify any factors that could be linked to your symptoms.

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Periodontal therapy can take various forms, but the goal is always to restore diseased tissues to health. Gum (periodontal) disease can spread from the gums to the bone that supports the teeth, and may even cause tooth loss in the most severe cases. There are very effective therapies to combat this, ranging from scalings (deep cleanings) that remove plaque and calculus (tartar) from beneath the gum line, to surgical repair of lost gum and bone tissue.
 

Scaling and Cleaning: It’s important to remove plaque in order to restore health. A healthcare professional carries out scaling and debridement to clean below the gumline. This can be done with an ultrasonic device or hand tools.

 

Medications: Different medicated mouthwashes and other treatments are available. You can get a prescription antimicrobial mouth rinse that is used to control bacteria and is used as a periodontal treatment. There is also an antibiotic gel that will help control bacteria and shrink periodontal pockets. Oral antibiotics can also be used.

 

Surgery: If non-surgical treatments aren't enough for advanced periodontitis, surgical intervention may be needed. Options can include flap surgery and bone and tissue grafts. Flap surgery is used to remove calculus in deep pockets or reduce the pocket so it’s easier to keep clean.