Periodontal Dental Services (Gum Disease)

Periodontics deals with diseases of the supporting structures of the teeth, including gums, tissues, and bones.

Periodontal diseases take on many different forms, but are usually a result of a coalescence of bacterial plaque biofilm accumulation of the gingiva and teeth, combined with host immuno-inflammatory mechanisms and other risk factors which lead to destruction of the supporting bone around natural teeth. Untreated, these diseases lead to alveolar bone loss and tooth loss, and to date continue to be the leading cause of tooth loss in adults.

With regular hygiene visits and periodontal visits periodontal disease can be prevented. Treatments include scaling and root planing and medication. The objective of scaling and root planing is to remove or eliminate the etiologic agents which cause inflammation: dental plaque, its products and calculus, thus helping to establish a stable periodontium.

Periodontal scaling procedures include the removal of plaque, calculus and stain from the crown and root surfaces of teeth, whereas root planing is a specific treatment that removes the roughened cementum and surface dentin that is impregnated with calculus, microorganisms and their toxins.

Scaling and root planing are often referred to as deep cleaning, and may be performed using ultrasonic instruments and hand instruments, such as periodontal scalers and curettes. We medicate after root planing and scaling to help treat any infection.