Periodontal Treatment

Most people don’t realize that periodontal disease is the leading cause of tooth loss among adults. According to statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one out of every two adults over the age of 30 in the United States has periodontal disease.

You may be surprised to learn that the human mouth is home to a wide variety of microbes. The fact is that over 700 different strains of bacteria have been detected in the oral cavity. Although some of these bacteria are beneficial, others are harmful to oral health. Without proper oral hygiene and routine dental care, these harmful bacteria can cause tooth decay and gum disease, compromising both your oral health and overall wellbeing.

In addition to inadequate oral hygiene and infrequent professional care, other factors, including smoking, genetic tendencies, and unchecked diabetes, can contribute to the escalation of periodontal disease.

Your gums and teeth have an interdependent relationship, which means healthy teeth depend on the support of healthy gums. Also, taking care of your smile does more than keep your teeth and gums in optimal condition; good oral health also supports systemic health. In addition to being the leading cause of tooth loss in adults, researchers are finding more and more links between periodontal disease and a number of medical problems, including heart disease, stroke, diabetes, respiratory problems, and adverse pregnancy outcomes such as pre-term and low birth-weight babies.

If you notice that your gums are bleeding with the slightest pressure while brushing or flossing, it’s a sign of gingivitis. Although gingivitis is the earliest stage of gum disease, it can easily be reversed with deeper cleanings as well as an improved regimen of oral hygiene at home.

In the absence of professional treatment and better home care, gingivitis progresses to the next stage, which is known as periodontitis. In this stage, the connective tissue and bone that hold the teeth in place begin to break down with an increase in pocketing between the teeth and bone, gum recession, and bone loss. Without proper treatment by your dentist, periodontitis will progress from a mild to moderate loss of supporting tissue to the destruction of the bone around the teeth.

Although gingivitis can often be reversed with improved oral hygiene and professional cleanings, as periodontal disease advances, more extensive procedures are required to halt its progression. Based on a complete assessment of your periodontal health and a review of possible contributing factors, our office will recommend the best options in care. Treatment for periodontitis may include a series of deeper cleanings known as root planing and scaling, surgical procedures to reduce pocket depth, bone or tissue grafts, laser procedures, or antimicrobial medications.

The cost of care depends on the type of procedures required to restore your periodontal health. If you have dental insurance, plans often cover treatment to prevent gum disease as well as many procedures to treat the various stages of gum disease. Our goal is to help patients restore and maintain good oral health. We do all we can to help you begin care without additional stress or delay. Our business office works with you to maximize your benefits and provide easier, more convenient payment options.

By seeing our office regularly for care and doing your best to eat a healthy diet and practice good oral hygiene, you can keep your smile in tip-top shape as well as protect your overall wellbeing.

At the office of Artistic Family Dental, we provide a comprehensive range of services to address all your oral healthcare needs. You can rest assured that your smile is in the best of hands at our office. Our skilled and experienced team maintains a position at the forefront of advances in care and remains dedicated to providing the highest quality of skilled and compassionate treatment.

Periodontal disease is a collective term for inflammatory conditions that affect the gums, the connective tissues and the jawbone that support your teeth. It ranges from reversible gingivitis to destructive periodontitis that can lead to tooth mobility and loss if left untreated. About half of adults over 30 show signs of periodontal disease, which makes early detection and management a routine part of dental care.

Addressing periodontal disease protects oral function and can support overall health by reducing chronic inflammation in the mouth. The office of Artistic Family Dental provides comprehensive periodontal evaluation and personalized treatment plans designed to preserve teeth and surrounding tissues. Prompt attention to symptoms and consistent maintenance greatly improves long-term outcomes for patients.

Early gum disease often produces subtle signs such as red, swollen or tender gums and bleeding during brushing or flossing. Patients may also notice persistent bad breath, exposed root surfaces, increased sensitivity to temperature changes or gums that appear to be pulling away from teeth. More advanced disease can cause pus near the gum line, shifting teeth, new gaps between teeth or discomfort when biting.

Because early stages can be painless, many people do not recognize a problem until damage is more significant. Regular dental exams, periodontal probing and radiographic assessment help detect disease in its beginning stages so treatment can begin promptly. If you notice any of these signs it is important to schedule a professional periodontal check.

Periodontal disease starts when bacterial plaque accumulates on teeth and hardens into calculus, provoking an inflammatory response in the gums and supporting tissues. How quickly disease progresses depends on a person’s oral hygiene, immune response, presence of restorative work and other local factors. Systemic influences such as smoking, diabetes, certain medications and genetic predisposition also increase risk and can complicate healing.

Certain life stages and medical conditions can make the periodontium more vulnerable, and smoking is one of the strongest modifiable risk factors. Patients with chronic illnesses should inform their dental team so treatment plans can be tailored and coordinated with medical care. Addressing controllable risks and improving daily hygiene significantly reduces the chance of progression.

Diagnosis begins with a comprehensive clinical exam that includes periodontal charting to measure pocket depths and attachment levels around each tooth. Digital radiographs reveal patterns of bone loss and help determine the extent of underlying damage. A review of medical history, medications and habits completes the evaluation because systemic factors can influence both disease presentation and healing potential.

The diagnostic information guides a clear, stepwise treatment plan and a monitoring schedule tailored to each patient. In select situations clinicians may use additional tests, such as microbial assessments or genetic screening, when routine measures do not fully explain disease behavior. Baseline documentation ensures reliable follow-up and objective assessment of treatment response.

Non-surgical therapy is often the first-line approach for treating periodontitis and for reversing gingivitis. Scaling and root planing removes plaque and calculus from below the gumline and smooths root surfaces to promote reattachment of healthy tissue. When bacterial control requires extra support, localized antimicrobial agents or short courses of systemic medication may be used as adjuncts to mechanical therapy.

Patient participation through improved home care is essential to stabilize results after non-surgical treatment. Oral hygiene instruction, daily interdental cleaning and a customized maintenance schedule help prevent recurrence. Regular periodontal maintenance visits allow clinicians to monitor healing and intervene quickly if pockets persist or deepen.

Surgery is considered when non-surgical measures do not sufficiently reduce pocket depths or when significant bone loss has occurred. Surgical procedures provide improved access for thorough cleaning, reduce pocket depth and reposition tissues to facilitate long-term hygiene. Common surgical options include flap procedures, pocket reduction and regenerative grafting to rebuild lost bone and soft tissue when indicated.

Recovery includes a period of healing with specific oral hygiene instructions and follow-up visits to protect outcomes. Success depends on both precise surgical technique and the patient’s commitment to maintenance care. Before surgery clinicians discuss realistic goals for function and appearance so patients understand the expected benefits and post-operative requirements.

Lasers and other advanced technologies can be useful adjuncts in periodontal therapy but are not a universal replacement for careful mechanical debridement. In selected cases lasers may assist with removal of diseased tissue, reduce bacterial load or address peri-implant inflammation, depending on the clinical situation. Decisions about technology use are based on current evidence, the specific condition being treated and individual patient factors.

When advanced tools are recommended they are integrated into a comprehensive treatment plan that includes scaling, potential surgical care and a tailored maintenance program. Your dental team will explain the risks and benefits of any adjunctive technology and ensure that devices are used by clinicians with appropriate training. Careful case selection and established protocols help optimize clinical results.

Research has identified associations between periodontal inflammation and systemic conditions such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes and certain respiratory challenges. These links suggest that oral inflammation can contribute to the body’s overall inflammatory burden, so controlling periodontal infection is often an important part of comprehensive health care. Clinicians take a patient’s medical history into account when planning periodontal therapy to support both oral and systemic well-being.

Managing periodontal disease can benefit patients beyond the mouth by improving comfort, function and the ability to control chronic conditions. Patients with systemic illnesses should inform their dental team so treatment timing and strategies can be coordinated safely with medical providers. Collaborative care helps align periodontal treatment with broader health goals.

Periodontal maintenance is a lifelong program of professional care and home hygiene intended to prevent disease recurrence after active therapy. Maintenance visits typically include careful removal of deposits, pocket assessment and reinforcement of home care practices. The ideal interval varies by disease severity and individual risk factors; many patients are seen every three months while others require shorter or longer intervals based on clinical findings.

Consistent participation in a maintenance program significantly improves the chances of stabilizing periodontal conditions and retaining natural teeth. Your dental team will tailor the maintenance plan and adjust timing as needed based on response to therapy and ongoing risk assessment. Clear communication and regular follow-up are key to preserving long-term periodontal health.

Referral to a periodontist is appropriate for advanced disease, complex regenerative needs, implant-related concerns or when specialized surgical expertise will improve outcomes. General dentists also refer patients when initial therapy does not achieve stability or when multidisciplinary collaboration is required for restorative or implant planning. Early coordination between generalists and specialists helps streamline treatment and set realistic expectations for function and aesthetics.

At Artistic Family Dental we prioritize coordinated, evidence-based care and will discuss referral options openly with patients when specialist input is beneficial. The dental team shares diagnostic records, treatment goals and follow-up plans to ensure smooth transitions between providers. Patients receive clear guidance at each step so they can make informed decisions about their periodontal care.