Periodontic Dentistry

Periodontal Treatment

When it has been a while since your last cleaning, or if you have deep pockets around your teeth, then you are a candidate for a more involved treatment to restore your teeth and gum tissues back to optimum health. Without proper gum support, you can still lose a tooth, even if it doesn't have a cavity. Periodontal surgery is done when the extent of the bone loss is such that the bone is irregular and jagged and the bacteria can get into the area around the tooth, however, you can't get in there to clean it. As a result, the bacteria produce an acid that eats away at the bone and causes disease. The accumulation of the bacterial by-product and the debris from the tooth together can cause plaque. If left on long enough, that can lead to tarter (which is harder to clean off). If this is left on the tooth for many months, this can begin to calcify and demineralize the outer structure of your tooth and bone. As this occurs a build-up gets larger and creates a "shelf" that doesn't allow a person to get a toothbrush under the gum line. If you can't clean under the gum line, then bone loss can occur and this can lead to tooth loss. Our hygiene department has attended several additional courses on periodontal therapy and soft-tissue management. This includes the use of chemicals to stimulate bone growth, tissue reattachment, and the use of the dental laser.