Periodontal treatment
Periodontitis is a condition that affects the bone structure, ligaments and gums which anchor the teeth in position. Gum disease is a problem that can occur without the patient being aware of its presence, which is why it is one of the leading causes of adult tooth loss. We offer advanced nonsurgical programs that fight gum disease, which include rotary tooth brushing, scaling and root planing as well as time-released antibiotic therapy.
What are the causes of periodontal disease?
When we eat, food deposits and bacteria also known as plaque are left on the surface of the teeth. If a proper oral hygiene routine is not followed and the bacteria is allowed to linger in the region of the gum-line, which can harden and become very difficult to eliminate through normal teeth cleaning. The ligaments and bone which support the teeth can then become contaminated and damaged and ultimately be worn away by the disease. If this occurs the bone and ligaments will not grow back. Through periodontal treatment we can stop the progress of the condition and prevent further contamination.
What does treatment involve?
Periodontal treatment may need to take place over numerous visits, in order to ensure that the disease process has been halted sufficiently. Though treatment will ultimately differ for each individual's case, appointments will typically involve the following:
- Scaling - the removal of plaque and calculus from on top of and underneath the gum-line of tooth roots
- Root planning - the removal of plaque and calculus from the roots of the teeth to leave a smooth, tough and clean root surface
Some people may find the treatment to be of a sensitive nature, which is why we are happy to offer patients the choice of local anesthetic.
