Periodontal Therapy

Periodontal therapy is a general dentistry procedure that is designed to stop the progression of gum disease. While gum disease is a common oral health condition, it can produce serious consequences within your mouth and your body. As the gum infection spreads, it can destroy the surrounding tissues and bone that hold your teeth in place. While gingivitis is considered the earliest stage of gum disease, periodontitis is an advanced form of gum disease that requires immediate intervention from your dentist. At Atlantic Dental Partners, we have a skilled team of dentists who have invested in the latest dental technologies available. This allows us to perform a number of proven periodontal treatments in the most convenient and comfortable ways possible.

Gum Infection Treatment

Periodontitis means that your gums are infected. The initial symptoms of gum infection may be as mild as puffy, red or bleeding gums. However, if the disease progresses, the infection will cause the gums to pull away from the roots of your teeth. This produces deep pockets of tissue where further bacteria can thrive. In severe cases of gum infection, the jawbone deteriorates and the tooth will lose stability and even fall out. Rest assured that there are effective treatments to restore the health of your gums, even after advanced periodontitis. It is important that you recognize the early warning signs of gum disease as well as attend your routine dental exams so that your condition can be treated using the most successful and conservative therapies.

Scaling and Root Planing

Scaling and root planing, also known as a deep cleaning, is often the first line of defense against mild to moderate gum disease. At Atlantic Dental Partners, we proudly utilize cutting-edge technology when it comes to your scaling and root planing, which can make it a more effective and more comfortable procedure.

During a deep cleaning, one of our dentists will use a combination of handheld instruments and ultrasonic scalers to remove the hardened plaque and bacteria from the area just below the gum line. The root planing portion of the procedure involves smoothing out the surface of your tooth root so that the gums can reattach and heal properly. Your comfort is always a top priority at our Malden and Jamaica Plain dental offices. Therefore, we use comfort injection tools and sedation dentistry to ensure your pain is minimized during scaling and root planing.

Contact us today to learn more about our excellence in periodontal therapy at Atlantic Dental Partners. We consider it a privilege to restore your smile and protect your overall health.

Periodontal Therapy FAQs

What causes periodontal disease?

Periodontal disease is often caused by the absence of a proper oral hygiene routine, including routine brushing and flossing and attending regular dental appointments. However, gum disease can also be caused by factors like smoking, certain medications, changes in hormones, and genetics. It's important to seek treatment for gum disease whether you have just noticed a change in your gums or if you have struggled with periodontitis for many years.

Do periodontal deep cleanings hurt?

Scaling requires our team to clean below the gumline, which can sound intimidating, especially for patients who have sensitive teeth and gums. Before we begin the deep cleaning, we will use a local anesthetic to completely numb the gums. We can also break up deep cleaning appointments into a few visits and focus on one section of the gums per visit to break up the amount of time in the dental chair and reduce post-appointment gum soreness.

Can gum disease be cured?

Gingivitis is the only form of gum disease that is 100% reversible, but more severe forms of gum disease are manageable with proper treatment. It's important to begin treating periodontal disease as quickly as possible, because when left untreated, it can cause serious consequences, like losing one or more teeth. The infection can also spread to the jawbone, and bone graft surgery could be needed. Seeking treatment right away is always the best option.