Periodontal Health & Evaluation

Periodontal simply means "Around the tooth", so the periodontal tissue includes both the bone and gum that surrounds every tooth. With the aid of dental x-rays, a simple procedure is done to measure the natural pocket formed by the gum around each tooth. We can easily and effectively identify if any disease is present and the severity of the disease. If there is disease present our dental team will discuss with you the disease process and additional treatment needs. Unfortunately, when active disease is present a simple cleaning of the teeth is not an effective way to combat the infection caused by periodontal disease.

Periodontal Maintenance

Any and all patients that present with active or past signs of periodontal disease that has led to bone loss or gingival recession must be legally documented and coded accordingly. Periodontal maintenance is started after the completion of periodontal therapy and continues at varying intervals for the life of the dentition or the implant replacements. There is no cure for periodontal disease, and our professional efforts will not work alone. We need your commitment to ensure the success of the program with our primary goal of stopping the disease process and maintaining the health of the dentition and surrounding tissue.

Periodontal Disease & Therapy

Periodontal disease is an infection of the gums and bone that surround the teeth. The disease process is initiated by plaque bacteria that are not effectively removed through daily home care. Periodontal disease is the number one leading cause of tooth loss in adults, but tooth loss is not the only potential problem. Research suggests that there may be a link between periodontal diseases and other health concerns such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, stroke, bacterial pneumonia, and increased risk during pregnancy. Periodontal therapy depends on the type and severity of the disease, the first step usually involves a special cleaning called scaling and root planning. This procedure removes plaque and tartar deposits on the tooth and root surfaces. Additional treatment may include the use of a laser and antibiotics for bacterial reduction and help to control infection.