Periodontal Therapy

Treatment Options

If you've been diagnosed with gum disease, there are a variety of treatment options depending on the details of your situation and the severity of the problem. We always start with the least invasive options, which are non-surgical. However, in more serious cases, surgery may be necessary.

Non-Surgical Treatment

The first line of defense against gum disease is a unique type of treatment called “scaling, root planing, and curettage." In this procedure, an ultrasonic cleaning device is used to remove plaque and tartar from your teeth where regular cleaning devices can't reach: under the gum line, on the tooth, and around the root. Then, the rough surface of the tooth and the root are smoothed out (planed). This provides a healthy, clean surface that makes it easier for the gum tissue to reattach to the tooth.

If you address your gum disease before it becomes severe, root planing and curettage may be the only treatment you need. However, as with any dental procedure, after-care is vital. In order to keep your teeth in good shape and resist future occurrences of gum disease, you must brush and floss daily, eat a healthy diet, avoid tobacco use, and have regular dental checkups. Even after a successful root planing and curettage, if you don't take care of your teeth at home properly, it's quite likely that you'll have a relapse and the infection will return.

Helpful Hints to Keep in Mind

Scaling and root planing does not usually cause much discomfort, but you might experience some soreness afterwards, since deeper regions under the gums have been cleaned.
Your teeth themselves may become a bit more sensitive to temperature, and bleeding might occur for a little while after your procedure.
Over-the-counter painkillers, such as ibuprofen, work very well to alleviate discomfort, as do ice packs applied to the outside of the face around the treated area.
Brushing and flossing will have to be done more gently to avoid aggravating any bruised or tender gum areas. We'll show you the best methods for keeping your teeth clean during this time.

Scaling and root planing is a simple procedure that can work very well to stop gum disease. If you maintain good dental care after the procedure, the progression of your gum disease should stop, and your gums will heal and become firm and pink again in no time!

More Topics

Periodontal Therapy

Treatment Options

Non-Surgical Treatment

Helpful Hints to Keep in Mind

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