In This Section...

• New!
  Patient Education Videos
• Patient Comfort
• Periodontal Treatment
• Bone Grafting
• Crown Lengthening
• Aesthetic Crown Lengthening & Gingival Contouring
• Aesthetic Ridge Augmentation
• Aesthetic Soft Tissue Grafting
• Antibiotic Treatment
• Piezo Surgery

Basic Periodontal Treatment

Periodontal disease is an infection that gets under the gums and causes inflammation. It then starts dissolving the jawbone which supports your teeth. Periodontal inflammation leads to tooth loss and contributes to other medical conditions. This infection must be removed and the area given a chance to heal. There are generally two accepted treatments for this condition depending on the severity of your infection.

Upper Level Infection Removal

The upper level of infection in the pockets around your teeth can be removed using specialized instruments. This procedure is called, “Scaling and Root Planing”, “Phase One Treatment” or “Initial Therapy”. It is done under local anesthesia and is quite different from the routine dental cleaning that is traditionally done in the general dentist's office.

Lower Level Infection Removal

If your infection has spread into the bone that supports your teeth, and is below the level that can be reached in “Upper Level Infection Removal”, then a surgical procedure must be performed to retract the gums and remove the lower level infection.

Upper Level Infection Removal (Scaling and Root Planing)
Severe plaque and calculus accumlation	Tissues will respond to the accumulation by becoming swollen, red and bleeding.
Note that the bone has not been affected. In this case, scaling and root planing is a viable option.	Ultrasonic scaling instruments can be used to dislodge the calculus above the gum.
Hand instruments can be used to clean below the gums.	The gums then shrink and reduce the pocket depth. The pockets and teeth can now be maintained with proper care.