Queensbay Dental Surgery

Periodontal Therapy

Periodontal disease is an infection of the gum and bone around the teeth. If it is not treated early, the teeth will become loose and eventually need to be extracted. Since there are different stages of gum disease (from gingivitis to advanced periodontitis), there are different levels of treatment. Gum treatment consists of one or more of the following procedures, depending on the individual case:

(a)Periodontal disease is usually initially treated by a special deep cleaning called deep scaling and root planing. These procedures remove the tartar, bacterial plaque, biofilm calculus and diseased root surface so the supportive tissues can better attach to the tooth surface down below the gum. In some cases, the occlusion (bite) may require adjustment. Antibiotics may be recommended to help control the growth of bacteria that create toxins and cause periodontitis. This helps the gum tissue to heal and the pockets to shrink. These deeo scaling and root planing usually takes several visits and often requires being numbed. Following a deep cleaning, if the tissues respond well a patient is placed on 3-4 month recall visits for the rest of their lives to keep the periodontal disease in check. Scaling and Root Planing combined with a strict home care routine and more frequent periodontal cleanings and exams will increase your chances of keeping your natural smile.

(b)Sometimes, in order to treat advanced gum disease, surgical procedures are necessary. The procedures are crown lengthening, soft tissue grafts, bone and tissue regeneration and ridge augmentation.