Periodontal Treatment

Periodontal disease is surprisingly common. By age 30, nearly half of adults have developed some form of periodontal disease. By age 65, the figure increases to over 70%. Despite its prevalence, many are unaware of gum disease and the health risks it presents.

What Is Periodontal Disease?

Periodontal disease, also called gum disease, is a bacterial infection of the gums. It develops when plaque and tartar accumulate along the gum line, pushing the gums away from the teeth and creating pockets where bacteria thrive.

Why Treating Periodontal Disease Is So Important

Left unaddressed, periodontal disease can lead to a whole host of health problems. In severe cases, bacteria access the periodontal ligaments and jawbone, leading to extreme sensitivity, bone deterioration, loose teeth, and tooth loss.

Additionally, the bacteria from periodontal disease can enter a person’s bloodstream and travel throughout the body, causing generalized inflammation and other health problems. Periodontal disease has been associated with several systemic diseases including:

• Cardiovascular disease
• Diabetes
• Kidney and liver disease
• Dementia
• Reproductive problems and pregnancy risks
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Cancer

Treating periodontal disease is vital to safeguarding the health of your teeth and gums, in addition to your general wellness.

What are the Signs and Symptoms of Periodontal Disease?

Signs and symptoms of periodontal disease include:

• Red, swollen, bleeding, or painful gums
• Receding gums
• Tooth sensitivity
• Gums that bleed after flossing or brushing
• Pus between the teeth
• Persistent bad breath
• Teeth that feel loose
• Changes to your bite

Periodontal Disease Treatments at StoneRidge Dental Care

A variety of periodontal disease treatments are available, and the treatment that is right for you depends on your specific case of periodontal disease and the severity of your infection.

Gingivitis Treatment

Gingivitis is an active, flamatory response to bacteria in someone’s mouth and is the earliest stage of bacterial infection. Our team at StoneRidge Dental Care are experts in identifying this and will recommend the treatment needed to restore your mouth’s health. As part of identifying gum disease, we will take a culture to identify bacteria and how invasive it has become in your gums.

Scaling and Root Planing/Periodontal Therapy

Scaling and root planing, also known as periodontal therapy, are treatments designed to deep-clean a patient’s teeth and roots, removing plaque and tartar and smoothing the surfaces to discourage future bacterial growth.

Periodontal therapy may require multiple appointments to fully remove the infection and restore your dental health. To maintain your health following treatment, we build a customized treatment schedule for your gum needs.

Prescription Trays and Rinses

Prescription antibiotic trays and mouth rinses deliver medications directly to the gums. These medications are designed to control the growth of harmful bacteria.

LANAP Laser Gum Therapy

In more severe cases of periodontal disease, laser gum therapy may be indicated. A laser-assisted surgery sterilizes the surfaces below the gum line to treat infected areas. Laser gum therapy provides a much less invasive alternative than traditional flap periodontal surgery, which requires the use of a scalpel and stitches. Laser gum therapy offers quicker recovery times, less pain, and no need for scalpels and stitches.

Please see below to watch a video about our Laser Periodontal Therapy procedure.