Treatment

The dentist will determine the best approach to treatment based on the current severity of the disease:

Early Stage: Gingivitis

If caught early, damage to the teeth and their supporting structures can be completely avoided. Several regular dental cleanings can clear up the existing problems. During these visits, the dentist and dental hygienist will provide instructions for improving you daily oral hygiene habits to ensure that periodontal disease does not progress or return. This improved oral hygiene, combined with regular visits for dental cleanings, will eliminate the problem.

Middle Stage: Periodontitis

At more advanced stages, special periodontal cleanings are required. These deep-cleaning procedures, known as scaling and root planing, are done in one quadrant of the mouth at a time. In scaling your teeth, the dentist will numb the area and remove tartar, plaque, and toxins from both above and below the gum line. This is followed by dental planing in which the dentist smooths the rough areas on root surfaces. Done together, these treatments help heal gum tissue and shrink the pockets around the teeth. The dentist will likely recommend medications, special medicated mouth rinses, and the use of an electric toothbrush to help control infection and support healing.

Late Stage: Advanced Periodontitis

If scaling and root planing are unable to heal the pockets in the gums, periodontal surgery may be necessary. This procedure can reduce pocket depths to make teeth easier to clean, allowing the patient to avoid any further damage to the teeth and their supporting structures. Should this procedure become necessary, the dentist will often recommend a Periodontist. These are dentists who specialize in working with the gums and the supporting bone structure of the teeth.