Periodontal disease, also known as gum disease, is an infection of the tissues that support the teeth. Your teeth are supported by gum tissue, connective fibers that anchor the tooth root into its socket and bone. Our office can assist patients with proper gum care that will keep these tissues healthy in order for you to keep your smile for a lifetime.
We provide regular examination of your gums during checkups with a periodontal probe and, if necessary, x-rays. If periodontal disease is diagnosed, we can provide several types of treatments, depending on the type of disease and how far the condition has progressed. Treatment is key to preventing periodontitis, an inflammation that can erode the ligament and bone beneath the gums and result in tooth loss.
A thorough cleaning is done that includes Periodontal Scaling, a procedure that meticulously removes plaque and tartar deposits from around, below and under the gum line down to the bottom of the pocket. Root Planing may also be needed, a procedure in which the tooth roots are planed to smooth the root surface, allowing the gum tissue to heal and reattach to the tooth. Root planing also makes it more difficult for plaque to accumulate along the root surfaces. These procedures prevent further bleeding of the gums, reduce gum swelling and tooth sensitivity due to gum recession, prevent bone loss, and most important, prevent tooth loss due to gum disease.