Scaling and Root Planing

This is a conservative method of deep cleaning the roots of the teeth, sometimes using local anesthetics. It is a non-surgical treatment modality.

Antibiotics

Antibiotics sometimes can help in the treatment of periodontal disease. Since bacteria are the root cause of this disease it makes sense. They are not a cure because they don’t remove the tartar and calculus that has formed. But they do often reduce inflammation and aid us in your treatment.

Antibiotics can be given in 2 ways – pills that you would take for about a week, or placed below the gum line with a special instrument. There are different situations where one method is better than the other.

Pocket Elimination Surgery

Pockets are spaces that form between the teeth and gums. Bacteria migrate into these pockets and eventually form hard accretions on the roots of the teeth called tartar and calculus. Usually, the longer it is present the deeper the bacteria migrate and the deeper the pockets are.

Bone loss typically results as a result of the inflammatory process that is initiated by the presence of the bacteria. Surgery allows us a way to access and clean these roots, and is necessary when scaling and root planing isn’t sufficient to remove the tartar and calculus that is deep below the gum line.

Bone graft

A bone graft is bone that is placed around teeth, implants and used to do ridge augmentation and sinus lifts. The bone can either come from the patient being treated (autograft) or from a tissue bank (allograft). Bone from the tissue bank that we utilize is carefully screened and tested, and has NEVER been linked to the transmission of any disease.

Laser Periodontal Treatment (LANAP®)

LANAP or “Laser-Assisted New Attachment Procedure” is a nonsurgical procedure for treating gum disease. During a LANAP procedure, a specialized laser is used to remove diseased tissue while keeping the healthy tissue intact.

With this dental laser, we can selectively eradicate the bacteria from deep within the gum pockets without damaging the surrounding healthy gum tissues. This precise targeting of the diseased gum tissue leaves the freshly revealed and healthy gums which will reattach to the tooth.

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