Gum Disease

How is Periodontal Disease Treated?

Periodontal disease is a bacterial infection that penetrates into the gums and into the bone around your teeth, causing inflammation. Periodontal inflammation leads to bone loss and possibly tooth loss and may contribute to other medical conditions.

Dr. Werkmeister and his team provide custom treatment plans for each patient. Not all procedures are right for all patients. To treat gum disease, we help you through a series of three basic steps.

  1. Eliminate the infection
  2. Fix the remaining problems
  3. Maintain periodontal health.

1. Eliminate the Infection

(Deep Scaling and Root Planing)

Scaling & Root Planing Scaling involves the non-surgical removal of plaque and calcium deposits on the tooth surfaces. Root planing is the smoothing of the root surfaces to promote reattachment of the gum tissue to the tooth.

These procedures are comfortably completed using local anesthetic and is different from the routine dental cleaning or “deep cleaning" that is traditionally done in the general dentist's office. You can immediately return to normal activity following your appointment.

Systemic and Localized Antibiotic Therapy

Antibiotics may be used alone or in combination with Scaling/Root Planing in a conservative effort to resolve periodontal infection.

2. Fix the remaining problems:

Gingival Grafting (for Gum Recession)

This surgical procedure restores healthy gum tissue to protect your teeth from disease and reduce gum recession. Gum recession and loss can cause serious dental problems and tooth loss. Gum tissue can be replaced and the gumline restored for a healthy and cosmetic result. (view photos & learn more)

We have 20 years experience with a procedure that does not involve harvesting gum tissue from the roof of the mouth. This procedure is far less painful and more aesthetic than older techniques!

Gum Grafting >>

Periodontal Pocket Reduction Procedures

During this procedure, the gum tissue is folded back in order to remove the disease-causing bacteria before securing the tissue back into place. In some cases, the damaged bone is smoothed or re-contoured to limit areas where disease-causing bacteria can harbor.

Reducing pocket depths and eliminating existing bacteria are important to prevent damage caused by the progression of periodontal disease and to help you maintain a healthy smile.

Periodontal Regenerative Procedures

In some cases, periodontal regenerative procedures may be recommended when the bone supporting your teeth has been damaged due to periodontal disease. These procedures aim to reverse some of the damage by regenerating lost bone and tissue.

During this procedure, the gum tissue is folded back to remove the disease-causing bacteria. Various regenerative materials, including membranes (filters), bone grafts or tissue-stimulating proteins can then be used to aid in regenerating bone and tissue.

Bone Grafting >>

 

3. Maintain periodontal health

Once your periodontal health has been restored, dental and periodontal maintenance appointments will become an important part of your ongoing care and will help to ensure a healthy mouth into the future.

Periodontal Maintenance Appointments >>