TREATMENTS

Gum Disease Treatment

Periodontal or gum disease happens when bacteria gets below the gum line and the attachment between the gum and tooth is lost. As a result, a deep "pocket" forms between the tooth and the gum tissue where bacteria and plaque congregate. Three out of four Americans have some form of periodontal disease and only 3 out of 100 will ever get treated before its too late.

Gum disease is a silent and chronic bacterial infection that often goes undetected or ignored until severe gum and bone destruction is unbearable and no longer able to be ignored. Left untreated, gum disease can cause infection, pain, abscess, and tooth loss.

During gum therapy, we will gently remove hardened plaque and diseased tissues from around the tooth and inside the gum pocket. This treatment interrupts the bacterial destruction of the tissues and bone, giving the gum pocket a chance to heal. Systematic repeated visits, generally every three months, allow the gums to heal and sometimes allow tissues to reattach to the tooth and bring the pocket to a normal or near-normal depth. Anesthetic is used during the procedure making this a gentle way to treat gum disease. While surgery may still be indicated for severely advanced periodontal cases, non-surgical therapy is a much more conservative, effective, and comfortable option for beginning to moderate periodontal cases.