When Do You Need Periodontal Therapy?

periodontal therapy to treat gum diseaseWhen our gums develop gingivitis or gum disease, patients experience a number of uncomfortable symptoms. As the disease progresses, patients can also develop a risk of losing one or more of their permanent teeth. In order to prevent this, we may need to use treatment to reverse gingivitis or manage gum disease. When do you need periodontal therapy?

Frequently Asked Questions About Periodontal Therapy

Question: What indicates the presence of gingivitis or gum disease?

Answer: Any changes to your gums could indicate the presence of periodontal problems. For example, you may notice your gums bled easily when you brush and floss your teeth. In addition, they appear more red than usual or even swollen. You may also notice they feel sore. These could be warning signs of gingivitis or the early stages of gum disease. You should see your dentist right away if one or more of these sound familiar.

Question: How does a scaling and root planing work?

Answer: A scaling and root planing allows the dentist to remove plaque and tartar from the surface of the teeth and from under the gum line. We can use this procedure to reverse gingivitis or to manage the early stages of periodontal disease.

Question: Do you ever recommend anti-bacterial rinses?

Answer: We do, as this can help ease the severity of gum disease and protect your smile.

Question: When do patients benefit from laser dentistry?

Answer: To address gum disease we may use laser dentistry. Employing advanced laser technology, we can remove infected gum tissue, allowing healthy gums to adhere to the teeth. This treatment rarely requires anesthesia and offers a significantly reduced risk of infection or bleeding following treatment. If you have any questions about treating gingivitis or periodontal disease, then contact our team today.

To learn more, schedule a consultation online, or call our office today at (847) 230-9703.