Gum Treatment
Gingivitis (inflammation and bleeding of the gums) and gum disease are actually quite common. If not treated properly, gingivitis can lead to gum disease (periodontitis), which is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults. If you are diagnosed with gingivitis or periodontitis gum disease, we are highly experienced in treating both with highly effective non-surgical therapies.
Full Mouth Debridement
If you’ve gone an extended amount of time between dental cleanings, we might recommend a more advanced cleaning, known as debridement. Harmful bacteria and hard tartar deposits (calculus) can build up above and below the gum line, and cause early symptoms of gingivitis (inflammation and bleeding of the gums). This build up can lead to periodontal disease if not properly treated, and can be difficult to remove with a toothbrush or even during a normal dental cleaning. Debridement is a first step to remove these deposits and is performed with a high-tech device called an ultrasonic cleaner that uses high-frequency vibration to separate the calculus from the tooth. By removing the deposits and bacteria, this procedure should be enough to bring your gums back to health.
Non-Surgical Periodontal Treatment: Scaling / Root Planing
For more advanced periodontitis (gum disease), scaling and root planing is used to remove harmful bacteria and hard tartar deposits (calculus) that have built up above and below the gum line. If not properly treated, periodontitis can lead to increased inflammation, bleeding, receding gums and ultimately receding bone tissue and tooth loss. We perform this specialized procedure with a hand scaler and an ultrasonic cleaner that uses high-frequency vibration to separate the calculus from the tooth. This procedure may require multiple appointments depending on the severity of the periodontitis. In most cases of early gum disease, scaling and root planing in addition to continued daily cleaning at home will achieve a satisfactory result of reversing gum disease.
Debridement
Description: This video shows you how excessive calculus and bacterial deposits are removed from beneath the gumline to stop the spread of gingivitis.
Prophy vs Periodontal Maintenance
Description: This video shows you the differences between periodontal maintenance therapy
and routine dental cleaning to prevent and treat periodontal disease.