Non-Surgical Periodontal Treatment

Since periodontal disease is caused by plaque (bacteria), emphasis is placed on the importance of effective plaque removal both during and following treatment. Smoking is also a significant factor and quitting can be extremely beneficial. This is to ensure that your treatment will not only be successful, but also long-lasting.

Scaling and Root Planing

Scaling and root planing is a thorough cleaning below the gum line to remove plaque and tartar that cannot be removed through routine professional cleanings or brushing and flossing. Bacterial deposits are removed from the roots, allowing gum tissue to heal and to reattach to the teeth.

Scaling and root planing is done with local anesthesia to ensure to patient’s comfort. A sedative or IV sedation is also available if desired to help you relax through the procedure.

Often, the early stages of periodontal disease can be effectively treated with non-surgical treatment. In more advanced cases of periodontal disease, non-surgical therapy often precedes the perioscope or periodontal surgery. This reduces the overall level of infection and may eliminate the need for surgery on certain teeth.

Several weeks following non-surgical treatment, a re-examination is done to determine if any areas are in need of further treatment through surgical intervention or the perioscope.

Perioscope

If periodontal surgery is recommended, you may be a candidate for the Perioscope, a non-surgical alternative to periodontal surgery. Ask your dentist or hygienist about the Perioscope alternative.