Will Perioscopy Help You Avoid Gum Surgery?
&srotate=0)
At Premier Periodontics, our team is committed to offering the best treatment possible for periodontal disease. Perioscopy digital technology is one way our periodontist in Bellevue can treat areas of gum disease that are deep beneath the gumline. During this dental deep cleaning, a dental endoscope is attached to a probe inside periodontal pockets. The endoscope lights up and magnifies the area being treated, which allows us to thoroughly clean bacteria out of these pockets. This minimally invasive nonsurgical gum disease treatment helps our patients to avoid gum surgery. All seven of our locations across Washington, including Olympia, Redmond, Bellevue, Kirkland, Mercer Island, and Everett, offer various gum disease treatments.
What is periodontal disease?
Periodontal disease is a gum infection caused by poor oral hygiene. When plaque is left and builds up on teeth, gum disease develops. When it is left untreated, it can lead to deterioration of the jawbone and even tooth loss. There are many early signs of periodontal disease that a periodontist in Bellevue can detect during a dental exam. At Premier Periodontics, we specialize in treating our patients who have gum disease. We aim to help our patients repair their oral health.
Symptoms of periodontal disease
Periodontal disease can be a silent disease in that you may not have any symptoms or don’t have any until you’re in an advanced stage. Some early signs of periodontal disease include:
-
Receding gums
-
Bleeding, especially when you brush or floss
-
Red, swollen, or tender gums
-
Loose or separating teeth
-
Bad breath
-
Changes in your bite
When you suspect you have periodontal disease, our periodontal specialists can evaluate your oral health and offer professional help.
What happens during a perioscopy?
Our periodontist in Bellevue can examine your gums to determine the best treatment for you, which will depend on the severity and stage of your gum disease. Perioscopy is often paired with a nonsurgical scaling and root planing procedure to treat and prevent the progression of gum disease. Patients who have one or more periodontal pockets measuring 5mm or higher are the best candidates for this periscope-assisted procedure. It also is a good choice for patients with deeper areas of gum disease who are unable to undergo traditional gum surgery.
During endoscopy gum treatment, our team can accurately "see" areas of plaque and tartar accumulation inside your periodontal pockets. This visual allows us to efficiently remove and treat all disease areas. While it is nonsurgical, we will numb gum tissues to keep our patients as comfortable as possible. Our team will begin by inserting the endoscope into periodontal pockets and use the digital image to clean diseased areas thoroughly.
Recovery from perioscopy gum disease treatment
There is very little recovery associated with perioscopy treatment since there is no need for sutures. The gums may feel tender for a day or two after treatment. A follow-up appointment at our office will allow our periodontal specialists to evaluate your healing. This is when we can tell you if you need additional treatment. Routine periodontal maintenance visits are recommended every three months.
Learn more about minimally invasive gum disease treatment with a perioscopy
Perioscopy allows our periodontal specialists at Premier Periodontics to see where you need treatment the most. This dental endoscopy procedure treats diseased areas with a more precise approach to gum disease treatment. Learn more about the gum disease treatments we offer at one of our seven locations throughout the State of Washington, including Olympia, Redmond, Bellevue, Kirkland, Mercer Island, and Everett, by calling our team today.