Which Procedures Treat Gum Disease?

Gum disease is an infection caused by plaque and tartar that lies at the gumline. When left untreated, it causes inflammation that can lead to periodontal pockets and gum recessions seen in later stages of periodontal disease. These pockets, in particular, allow bacteria to reproduce, which spread into the bone that supports the teeth. In the most severe cases, tooth loss occurs. At Premier Periodontics, our periodontists can evaluate your gums to determine if you’re a candidate for gum disease treatment. Contact one of our convenient locations in Bellevue, Everett, Kirkland, Mercer Island, Olympia, or Redmond, WA to schedule an appointment to learn more about nonsurgical gum disease treatment choices.

Who is a candidate for gum disease treatment?

Patients who need gum disease treatment will have red, swollen, or bleeding gums, halitosis, or gum recession. During a periodontal examination at Premier Periodontics, we can measure periodontal pockets. For those with more than three millimeters and bone loss, we can recommend gum disease treatment, such as scaling and root planing.

Nonsurgical gum disease treatment options

When we treat gum disease at Premier Periodontics, we try to use nonsurgical treatment options first. Gum disease treatments offered at one of our convenient locations in Bellevue, Everett, Kirkland, Mercer Island, Olympia, or Redmond, WA include:

1. Antibiotic therapy: When gum disease progresses to later stages, periodontal pockets occur in hard-to-reach areas that are difficult to clean with solely an oral hygiene routine. Topical antibiotics or even antimicrobial rinses can be prescribed by our periodontist to suppress the spread of this bacteria.

2. Scaling and root planing: The goal of any gum disease treatment is to eliminate bacteria from our patients’ teeth and gums. This is achieved with a deep cleaning known as scaling and root planing. Scaling involves removing plaque or tartar from the teeth. A perioscope allows our periodontists to see where plaque and tartar exists. Root planing is the smoothing of a tooth surface, which makes it more difficult for bacteria to adhere to and to develop, or progress, further into periodontal disease. For more advanced stages of periodontal disease, antibiotics may be used during these cleanings too. They are placed into the periodontal pockets to minimize growth.

3. Bite adjustments: If you have loose teeth, they need to be protected. Our periodontist can reshape parts of your enamel to change how the teeth connect. This will lessen the force from biting or chewing. A brace can also be used to support teeth.

After any nonsurgical gum disease treatment, a patient may experience tooth sensitivity or tender gums. Maintaining regular periodontal visits at Premier Periodontics is important to your oral health. We can provide at-home oral hygiene tips that will help ensure your teeth and gums stay healthy too.

What is periodontal surgery?

Perioscopy digital technology is one way our periodontal team treats advanced stages of periodontal disease. Candidates for this surgery typically have periodontal pockets measuring five millimeters or higher. Our periodontist places an endoscope attached to a probe into periodontal pockets. This endoscope lights up and magnifies the area, so they can see clearly where plaque or tartar exists. This helps our team to more effectively remove this harmful material from the teeth and gums.

This is a minimally invasive procedure that is much more comfortable than other periodontal disease surgical options. There is no need for stitches after this gum disease treatment, so there is little to no recovery. Our team will, oftentimes, pair this surgery with scaling and root planing to treat the progression of periodontal disease.

Learn more about procedures that treat gum disease

When left untreated, gum disease can lead to devastating side effects, such as tooth loss. At Premier Periodontics, we work closely with our patients to ensure their oral health is at its best. This is achieved with regular dental exams and routine dental cleanings and a thorough oral hygiene routine. Brushing at least twice a day and flossing daily helps keep buildup off the surface of the teeth and at and above the gumline, to help protect against the onset of gum disease. Call today to discuss procedures that treat gum disease and to schedule an appointment with one of our periodontists at one of our convenient locations in Bellevue, Everett, Kirkland, Mercer Island, Olympia, and Redmond, WA.