If you have a mild or moderate infection under your gum tissues, we may advise a more definitive course of treatment known as root planing and deep scaling. A routine hygiene visit or prophylaxis appointment will not treat this problem. The recommended treatment will help to prevent loss of bone and gum tissues and the supporting structures of the teeth. A periodontal evaluation including charting will define the places where this infection exists.

Your treatment may include:

• Local anesthesia
  
• Analysis of your home care routine and development of a specific personal program for your needs.
  
• Thorough, deep scaling of the infected areas with smoothing and polishing of the root surfaces (also called root planing).
  
• Application of fluorides and desensitizing solutions.
  
• Antibiotic subgingival medication.
  
• Purchase of professional, powered toothbrush and/or irrigating appliance.

The complete control of this problem requires your cooperative efforts at home on a daily basis.

Your goal will be to learn as much as possible about how this disease is affecting the health of bone and gum tissue around your teeth. We will show you how to control the plaque and bacteria that cause the disease. Some of these techniques require time to learn, so please be patient. Daily plaque control is very important.

Your periodontal health will be re-evaluated during the course of treatment and if significant infected sites still remain, additional treatment will be discussed. At the end of the program we will determine whether further treatment is necessary. Once the program is completed, it is absolutely necessary to maintain regular continuing care and health screening appointments to avoid repeated flare-ups.

If you are covered by insurance, we will report all treatment information to your carrier. However, all plans are different and we cannot guarantee the extent of coverage, if any. Our primary concern is for your dental health.

Early Periodontitis

Early periodontitis is characterized by inflammation of the gums and the beginning stages of bone loss.

The space naturally present between the teeth and gums begins to deepen from the normal of approximately 1-3mm to 4-5mm. This pocket allows for the collection of bacteria far below the gumline; therefore, these areas are not maintainable by home plaque control alone.

Treatment

Treatment of this disease is performed in multiple appointments.

A procedure of non surgical periodontal therapy, called scaling and root planing, is performed involving the removal of the hard and soft deposits from the teeth and root surfaces.

The last appointment in a 4 to 6 week period is a re-evaluation appointment and prophylaxis whereby the pocket depths are measured again. If there is a marked improvement, the teeth are polished and a fluoride treatment is provided. In the event ample healing has not taken place, the additional treatment recommendations will be discussed at that visit.

A power assisted toothbrush may be recommended.

A three-month maintenance system is strongly recommended.

Insurance benefits will vary depending upon your particular coverage.

Moderate Periodontitis

Moderate periodontitis is characterized by inflammation of gum tissues (red, swollen, bleeding) and deepening of the periodontal pockets. The structures that support the teeth in the bone are breaking down leading to tooth mobility. The pockets in these areas have deepened beyond 5 millimeters and allow accumulation of bacteria at levels far below the gum line. This is the most advanced stage of periodontal disease that can be treated non-surgically. Home plaque control cannot reach bacteria at this deep level.

Treatment

Treatment of this disease is performed in multiple appointments.

The mouth is treated in sections at separate appointments. A procedure called scaling and root planing is performed on each diseased area. This involves removal of the hard and soft debris from the teeth and root surfaces and treating of bacterial colonies. The pockets are irrigated with a medicated rinse to flush out the residual bacteria and expedite the healing process. Antibiotics may be placed sub-gingivally. This treatment requires local anesthesia or analgesia.

A powered toothbrush and or Water Pic may be recommended for home use.

Re-evaluation, prophylaxis and/or periodontal maintenance is performed after a 4 to 6 week period at which time the pocket depths are measured again. If there is marked improvement, the teeth are polished and a fluoride treatment may be recommended. In the event ample healing has not taken place, additional treatment recommendations will be discussed.

A THREE-MONTH MAINTENANCE SYSTEM IS STRONGLY RECOMMENDED.

Insurance benefits will vary depending upon your particular coverage.