Treatment

Catching gingivitis early will save a lot of pain later on (and save on dental bills!)

Periodontal treatment methods depend upon the type and severity of the disease. Your Island Dental hygienist will evaluate for periodontal disease and recommend the appropriate treatment.

Periodontal disease progresses as the sulcus (pocket or space) between the tooth and gums gets filled with bacteria, plaque, and tartar, causing irritation to the surrounding tissues. When these irritants remain in the pocket space, they can cause damage to the gums and eventually, the bone that supports the teeth!

If the disease is caught in the early stages of gingivitis, and no damage has been done, one to two regular cleanings will be recommended. You will also be given instructions on improving your daily oral hygiene habits and having regular dental cleanings.

If the disease has progressed to more advanced stages, a special periodontal cleaning called scaling and root planing (deep cleaning) will be recommended. It is usually done one quadrant of the mouth at a time while the area is numb. In this procedure, tartar, plaque, and toxins are removed from above and below the gum line (scaling) and rough spots on root surfaces are made smooth (planing). This procedure helps gum tissue to heal and pockets to shrink. Medications, special medicated mouth rinses, and an electric tooth brush may be recommended to help control infection and healing.

If the pockets do not heal after scaling and root planing, periodontal surgery may be needed to reduce pocket depths, making teeth easier to clean. Your dentist may also recommend that you see a periodontist (specialist of the gums and supporting bone).

Laser Dental Cleaning

Dental Lasers are used to assist in the scaling and root planing process.

In some cases, Dr. Coral Posert may recommend the use of a laser in conjunction with scaling and root planing to remove diseased tissue in the gum pocket, eliminate bacteria and stimulate healing cells. This helps to remove diseased gum tissue and more effectively remove the bacterial biofilm on the root surfaces that cause tissue breakdown.

Everyone is asking about lasers these days. Lasers are used for a variety of dental procedures and can be used to remove diseased gum tissue after the deep cleaning of teeth. Your hygienist uses a laser to make the gums heal faster and more completely following Scaling and Root Planing (“deep cleaning”) procedures.