How to Treat Periodontal Disease
Dental cleaning
Cleaning the plaque and tartar from the gums greatly increases dental health and decrease chance of disease. Regular cleanings can counteract inflammation already in play.
Scaling and root planing
This is a deep dental cleaning that requires anesthetic. Once under sedation, a dental health professional will go underneath the gum line to scrape away any residue. This process is known as scaling. The root is also planed, or smoothed over, from any damage. This allows the gums to reattach to the teeth.
Pocket reduction surgery
Any infected areas in the periodontal tissue are removed under this procedure. You are placed under local anesthetic for this surgery. When the affected gum tissue is clean, the tissue is put back into place. The root can also be smoothed over for the gums to attach.
Bone graft
If periodontal disease has affected your mouth, your jaw may need strengthening. A strategic bone graft fortifies the area and gives stability to the tissue and teeth. The formerly infected area is encouraged to regrow new and fresh tissue.
Guided tissue regeneration
When any bone supporting the teeth has been destroyed, a periodontist can fix it with regeneration. By inserting a small piece of gum-like fabric, the gum and bone are encouraged to grow together. The gums stay where they should and the tissue grows anew.