Periodontal Disease

Any of these symptoms may be a sign of a serious problem, and you should have them checked.

How is gum disease treated?

The number and types of surgical treatment will vary, depending on the extent of the gum disease. They may include:

Deep Cleaning (Scaling and Root Planing) – Dr. Farahmand removes the plaque through a deep-cleaning method called scaling and root planing. Scaling means scraping off the tartar from above and below the gum line. Root planing gets rid of rough spots on the tooth root where the germs gather, and helps remove bacteria that contribute to the disease. In some cases, the doctor may use a laser to remove plaque and tartar. This causes less bleeding, swelling, and discomfort compared to traditional deep cleaning methods.

ARESTIN® is an antibiotic treatment for periodontal disease that Dr. Farahmand may recommend as an add-on therapy to dental scaling and root planning procedures. Different than an antibiotic you take as a pill, ARESTIN is placed right where you need it: directly in the pockets below the gumline — the areas that have been infected.

Flap Surgery – This is a procedure used to remove tartar deposits in deep pockets or to reduce the periodontal pocket and make it easier to keep the area clean. This common surgery involves lifting back the gums and removing the tartar. The gums are then sutured back in place so that the tissue fits snugly around the tooth again. After surgery the gums will heal and fit more tightly around the tooth. This sometimes results in the teeth appearing longer.

Bone and Tissue Grafts – In addition to flap surgery, Dr. Farahmand may suggest procedures to help regenerate any bone or gum tissue lost to periodontitis. Bone grafting, in which natural or synthetic bone is placed in the area of bone loss, can help promote bone growth. Guided tissue regeneration is a technique that can be used with bone grafting. In this procedure, a small piece of mesh-like material is inserted between the bone and gum tissue. This keeps the gum tissue from growing into the area where the bone should be, allowing the bone and connective tissue to regrow. Growth proteins that can help your body naturally regrow bone may also be used. In cases where gum tissue has been lost, the doctor may suggest a soft tissue graft, in which synthetic material or tissue taken from another area of your mouth is used to cover exposed tooth roots.

Treatment results depend on a variety of factors, including how far the disease has progressed, how well the patient keeps up with oral care at home, and certain risk factors, such as smoking, which may lower the chances of success.

Medications – Medications may be used along with scaling and root planning, but they cannot always replace surgery as a treatment. Depending on how far the disease has progressed, the doctor may still suggest surgical treatment.