Gum disease (or pyorrhea as it used to be called) is a bacterial infection around the teeth below the gums that destroys the supporting bone. Left untreated this leads to gum bleeding, moving teeth and finally tooth loss. Treatment is focused on stopping further bone loss and in some cases re-growing additional bone or gums. Our goal is to help patients keep their teeth looking good in health and comfort for a lifetime.
Nonsurgical Treatment: Treatment typically starts with removal of bacteria and calcium deposits (called calculus) on the teeth below the gum tissue. Patients are comfortable during the procedure as the tissue is numbed. This may be all that is necessary in cases diagnosed and treated in the early stages. This is called scaling and root planning, or a deep cleaning of the gums.
Surgical Treatment: When more extensive bone loss has occurred, surgical treatment may be necessary. This removes deeper calculus that cannot be removed with scaling, and reduces the packets around the teeth so that bacteria and calculus can be prevented from returning and can be removed by the patient and dental hygienist. This stops further bone loss.
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