What Is Non-Surgical Periodontal Therapy?

By Lawrenceville Dental Implant Center And Periodontics, LLC

November 13, 2019

Tags: periodontal disease

Periodontal disease affects millions of Americans every year. Stemming from the oral bacteria that thrives in plaque and tartar, gum Gum_Disease disease causes tooth loss and aggravates conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, dementia, and others. Fortunately, here at Lawrenceville Dental Implant Center and Periodontics in Lawrenceville, NJ, your periodontists, Dr. John Lu and Dr. Raul Figueroa, offer non-surgical periodontal therapy and other treatments to make your gums healthy again.

How gum disease starts

You may have heard the age-old expression, "Little things mean a lot." When it comes to dental health, this adage couldn't be more accurate. After all, countless strains of microscopic oral bacteria live in our mouths. In fact, Dear Doctor reports that of the possible 600 types of oral microbes, only 400 have been identified. Whatever the final count may be, too many of these tiny germs can create the big problems of tooth decay and its equally dangerous counterpart, gum disease.

Gum disease—from gingivitis to advanced periodontitis—originates in the tiny germs that just love carb-based plaque and tartar. As the bacteria grows, so does damaging inflammation and infection that leads to:

Bad breath
Redness
Tenderness
Swelling
Pus
Loose teeth
Changes in how teeth bite together
Dark gum color
Periodontal pockets (spaces between teeth and gums) which measure more than three millimeters in depth

How to detect gum disease

The American College of Periodontology states that early on, gum disease often goes unnoticed; however, over time, the symptoms become much more noticeable and destructive. Fortunately, at our office in Lawrenceville, NJ, your periodontist can spot the initial signs of gum disease and put together a care plan to help restore gum health.

Non-surgical periodontal therapy

Gingivitis (the earliest stage of gum disease) responds well to routine brushing and careful flossing at home. Dr. Lu and Dr. Figueroa also advise a thorough in-office cleaning to remove plaque and tartar. Additionally, the doctors may prescribe topical antibiotics instilled in gum pockets or antimicrobial rinses used at home to quell bacterial growth.

Other therapies include scaling and root planing. Also termed "deep cleaning," this procedure scrapes tartar from tooth surfaces and roots. It eliminates the environment that bacteria thrives in and allows gum tissue to re-attach to teeth.

Finally, your periodontist may adjust your dental bite by simply reshaping the biting surfaces of your teeth. Some patients require a metal or composite resin splint to stabilize mobile teeth. Your treatment plan will be tailored to your specific needs.

Concerned about your dental health? Give us a call

Phone Lawrenceville Dental Implant Center and Periodontics for more information or to book a consultation: (609) 896-0700.

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