Periodontal Therapy & Procedures

It’s a common misconception that we naturally lose teeth as we age. However, by practicing good oral hygiene and regularly visiting a dentist for cleanings and exams, we can often keep our natural teeth throughout our lives.

This means taking care of not just the teeth, but also the surrounding structures: the gums and the bone that supports the teeth. Gum disease, caused by bacterial infection, poses a serious threat to these tissues. Dentists closely monitor for early signs that may go unnoticed by patients. If issues are detected, periodontal therapy may be recommended.

This treatment, which can take different forms, aims to restore the health of damaged tissues. In advanced cases, gum disease can spread to the bone supporting the teeth, potentially leading to tooth loss.

Periodontal Therapy Procedures

• Scaling and Root Planing: These deep-cleaning techniques are the best starting point to control gum disease. Plaque and calculus (tartar) are removed from beneath the gum tissues, using hand scalers and/or ultrasonic instruments.
• Gum Grafting: Sometimes it’s necessary to replace areas of lost gum tissue so that tooth roots are adequately protected. This can be accomplished by taking healthy gum tissue from one area of the mouth and moving it to where it is needed, or by using laboratory-processed donor tissue.
• Periodontal Plastic Surgery: When used to describe surgery, the word “plastic” refers to any reshaping procedure that creates a more pleasing appearance of the gum tissues.
• Periodontal Laser Treatment: Removing diseased gum tissue with lasers can offer significant advantages over conventional surgery, such as less discomfort and gum shrinkage.
• Crown Lengthening Surgery: This is a surgical procedure in which tooth structure that is covered by gum and bone tissue may need to be exposed either for cosmetic reasons (too make the teeth look longer and the smile less gummy) or to aid in securing a new dental crown.