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Treatment

Periodontal treatment methods depend upon the type and severity of the disease.  Your dentist and dental hygienist will evaluate for periodontal disease and recommend the appropriate treatment.

Periodontal disease progresses as the sulcus (pocket or space) between the tooth and gums gets filled with bacteria, plaque, and tartar, causing irritation to the surrounding tissues.  When these irritants remain in the pocket space, they can cause damage to the gums and eventually, the bone that supports the teeth!

If the disease is caught in the early stages of gingivitis, and no damage has been done, one to two regular cleanings will be recommended.  You will also be given instructions on improving your daily oral hygiene habits and having regular dental cleanings.

If the disease has progressed to more advanced stages, a special periodontal cleaning called scaling (deep cleaning) will be recommended. Our regimen for treatment consists of two visits, two hours each. Don't worry, we take breaks. We use a topical anesthetic, so no injections needed. Ideally these appointments are consecutive days in order to rid the entire mouth of virulent bacteria to allow optimal healing. In this procedure, tartar, plaque, and toxins are removed from above and below the gum line (scaling).  This procedure helps gum tissue to heal and pockets to shrink. If you have an active infection a short term antibiotic will be prescribed. This helps us to attack the infection intrinsically as well as topically. 


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