Understanding Periodontal Therapy: Treatment Options & Procedures

Periodontal therapy can include surgical or nonsurgical treatment, depending on the condition of your teeth, gums and jawbone. A complete periodontal exam will be done before any treatment is performed or recommended.

Gum (periodontitis) disease causes red, swollen and tender gums, persistent bad breath, tooth loss and jaw bone damage when left untreated. Treatment focuses on controlling bacteria and reversing tissue damage.

Periodontal Therapy

When a mild gum inflammation called gingivitis is not treated early enough, it will progress into the more advanced and destructive periodontitis. Symptoms of this phase include bleeding, swollen and red gum tissue that may have pockets between the teeth and gums. This damage can lead to tooth loss and a host of other health problems.

During the initial treatment of periodontitis, a non-surgical procedure known as scaling and root planing is used to remove the etiologic agents responsible for this inflammation such as dental plaque and tartar. This procedure can reduce pocket depth, halt progression of the disease, and help your gum tissues heal.

In more serious cases, a surgical procedure called flap surgery is recommended to properly clean and heal the gum tissue and bone that supports your teeth. PerioImplant Associates offers laser periodontal therapy Louisville KY which is less invasive, requires no sutures and results in minimal bleeding, swelling and discomfort. This method also helps reduce the need for future corrective surgeries such as dental bone grafts.

Scaling & Root Planing

Teeth scaling and root planing are two procedures that remove bacteria-filled plaque and tartar from the teeth above and below the gum line. These deep cleaning treatments prevent further damage to gum tissue and tooth roots, stop the progression of periodontitis, and promote healthy, strong teeth.

Your provider numbs your mouth with a local anesthetic before beginning the process of teeth scaling. They use a dental scaler to scrape away the bacterial deposits from your teeth, including areas that are hard to reach with a regular toothbrush. A vibrating metal tip on the scaler chips off small pieces of hardened bacterial deposits.

The next step is root planing, which involves smoothing the surfaces of your teeth and roots to help your gum tissue reattach to your roots. This procedure also helps reduce sensitivity, and improves your smile’s appearance. It can also reduce bad breath caused by food particles and bacteria in your mouth. Superficial stains can also be removed during this treatment.

Osseous Surgery

When bacteria are left untreated, periodontal disease can advance to a level that damages bone tissue and destroys gum tissue. This can cause teeth to become loose and even fall out. Bacteria from the mouth can also enter the bloodstream and damage organs throughout the body, including the heart and lungs.

Osseous surgery (also known as pocket reduction surgery) is a surgical procedure that allows us to gain access to the roots of your teeth to remove deep tartar and bacteria. It is often necessary in order to effectively treat the more advanced stages of periodontal disease and to restore damaged areas.

During this procedure we fold back the gum tissue and remove the bacteria hiding underneath, then smooth and reshape the bone around your teeth to get rid of pockets and repair any damage. If necessary, we can also use membranes to cover the area and stimulate your body’s natural ability to regenerate bone tissue.

Regenerative Surgery

Gum disease is a chronic infection that eventually destroys the tissue and bone that support your teeth. It starts in the early stages of gingivitis, when toxins from bacteria irritate gum tissue. If it’s not treated, gingivitis can progress to periodontitis and damage the connective tissue that holds your teeth in place, leading to loose teeth, tooth loss, and poor oral health.

Treatment options depend on the stage of gum disease and your oral health goals. Nonsurgical and surgical procedures can remove plaque, reduce pockets between your teeth and gums, restore lost tissue, halt the progression of the disease, and improve your oral health.

Laser periodontal therapy Louisville KY provides a faster, more comfortable alternative to scalpels and sutures. With this technology, patients experience minimal bleeding, reduced swelling, less sensitivity, and no charring. Laser treatments can also correct a “gummy smile” by reshaping gum tissue and bone. This helps a dental crown adhere more securely to the tooth, improving the aesthetics of your smile and the comfort of eating food.