Periodontal Treatment

One of the most common conditions we see in our office is periodontal disease. Periodontal disease affects the supporting structures of your teeth including the gums and bone, and left untreated is a leading cause of tooth loss. Furthermore, uncontrolled periodontal disease can affect whole body health and has shown a correlation with heart disease and diabetes. At Sage Dentistry, Dr. Kimes takes periodontal disease seriously, and we will work with you to determine the best periodontal treatment for your specific needs. At your initial exam, a comprehensive periodontal evaluation will be performed and your doctor will discuss your risk factors and any concerns she may have. At each subsequent hygiene visit, we will re-evaluate your periodontal health and educate you on how to prevent periodontal disease.

Your doctor may recommend a scaling and root planing procedure to treat periodontal disease. Unlike a routine cleaning, which focuses on the area of your teeth above the gum line, scaling and root planing reaches beneath the gum line to remove the source of periodontal infection. To maintain your comfort throughout the procedure, your doctor will first numb the area of your mouth that will be treated. Using special instruments, plaque and tartar will be removed from both above and below your gum line, and the root surfaces of your teeth will be smoothed to help prevent accumulation of debris and facilitate cleaning.

Depending on the severity of your treatment needs, this procedure may take more than one visit to complete. After completion of scaling and root planing, your doctor may recommend application of antibiotics directly to infected areas, and she will prescribe appropriate products for home use to promote healing of your gum tissues. You will be scheduled for a follow-up appointment to re-evaluate the status of your periodontal disease and determine if additional procedures or referral to a Periodontist (a gum and bone specialist) are needed. Throughout your treatment, we will focus on home care instructions and educate you based on your particular needs. A specific recall interval will be recommended in order to closely monitor your progress.

The health of our patients is the number one priority at Sage Dentistry, and maintaining a healthy foundation of the supporting structures of the teeth is the first step. Dr. Kimes encourages you to seek routine dental care in order to prevent periodontal disease and follow through with recommended treatment for active disease. With a healthy mouth, you set the stage for good overall health. Contact us today if you have any questions about your treatment options for periodontal disease.