What is Periodontal Therapy, and How Can It Help Your Oral Health?

Periodontics is a specialized branch of dentistry that focuses on the health of your gums and jawbone, which are the tissues that support your teeth. Periodontal diseases are chronic inflammatory conditions that affect these supporting structures and can lead to tooth loss if left untreated. Fortunately, a broad range of therapies exists in periodontics to treat these conditions.

No single treatment approach can provide the only means of treating any one or all periodontal diseases. One treatment option may be appropriate for one section of the mouth, while another may be suitable at other sites.

The following are some of the standard courses of treatment in periodontics:

Scaling and Root Planing: 

Scaling and root planing are essential procedures in the treatment of gum disease. The process involves the removal of bacterial plaque and tartar both above and below the gum line. This non-surgical procedure is done by a dentist or hygienist using specialized tools to clean the teeth thoroughly.

This procedure involves smoothing out rough spots on the roots of teeth to prevent bacteria from accumulating in these areas.

Rinsing Agents: 

Rinsing agents are an essential part of periodontal therapy. Some of the most popular ones oral health professionals use in periodontics include chlorhexidine gluconate and hydrogen peroxide.

Chlorhexidine Gluconate is a broad-spectrum antimicrobial solution that treats plaque and gingivitis. It kills bacteria and reduces inflammation, allowing the gums to heal. This agent is typically administered as a mouthwash or gel applied directly to the gums.

Hydrogen peroxide is an oxidizing agent that helps remove plaque from teeth. It breaks down dental plaque into smaller particles you can remove with a toothbrush. Hydrogen peroxide can also be used as a mouth rinse for treating gingivitis and other oral infections.

Resective Procedures: 

Periodontal pockets are a common symptom of periodontal disease, and resective procedures are one of the most effective ways to reduce or eliminate them. They involve removing excess gum tissue and bone to create an acceptable gingival form that facilitates effective oral hygiene. These procedures can include pocket reduction surgery, scaling and root planing, crown lengthening, soft tissue grafts, frenectomy, and socket preservation.

Pocket reduction surgery reduces the depth of periodontal pockets by removing plaque-harboring bacteria from the affected area. Scaling and root planing is a non-surgical procedure that involves cleaning the tooth root’s surface below the gum line to remove plaque and tartar buildup.

Crown lengthening is a procedure that eliminates excess gum tissue under local anesthetic to expose more of the natural tooth structure. Soft tissue grafts can replace lost gum tissue due to periodontal disease or injury.

Frenectomy is a procedure used to correct tongue-tie or lip-tie, which can cause difficulty with eating, speaking, or breastfeeding. Socket preservation is a procedure used to preserve bone after tooth extraction to make it easier to place dental implants later.

These procedures can help restore oral health by reducing or eliminating periodontal pockets and creating an acceptable gingival form that facilitates effective oral hygiene. Talking with your dentist about which treatment option is best for you to get back on track with your oral health care routine is critical.

Regenerative Procedures:

Regenerative procedures are essential for periodontal therapy to restore lost bone and soft tissue support around teeth affected by periodontitis. These procedures can range from advanced surgical techniques, such as guided tissue regeneration (GTR) and bone grafting, to less invasive approaches like bioresorbable membrane placement.

Guided tissue regeneration (GTR) is a surgical procedure that uses a resorbable membrane to promote the growth of new bone and connective tissue in an area where the bone has been damaged or destroyed. GTR treats deep gum pockets caused by advanced periodontal disease.

Bone grafting is another technique to restore damaged or missing bone caused by periodontal disease. During this procedure, healthy bone material is taken from another part of your body or donated from another person and then transplanted into the affected area to replace the damaged bone.

Regenerative procedures can help reduce pocket depths, decrease inflammation, restore lost gum tissues, and improve the overall health of your gums and teeth. It’s important to talk with your dentist about which option is best suited for you so you can get back on track with your oral health care routine.

Laser Therapy: 

Laser therapy is a minimally invasive periodontal treatment that uses a particular type of laser to remove diseased gum and bone tissue around teeth without damaging healthy tissue. This technique helps reduce inflammation, decrease pocket depths, and improve oral health.

In this procedure, the dentist will use a laser beam to directly target the affected area while preserving the surrounding healthy tissues. The laser delivers energy in tiny pulses that evaporate only the diseased tissues, leaving behind healthier tissues in their place.

Laser therapy treats various periodontal problems as well as other issues like canker sores or cold sores. It’s an effective way to remove bacteria from deep pockets and reduce inflammation in your mouth.

The benefits of laser therapy include less bleeding and swelling than traditional surgery techniques, faster healing times, less discomfort during treatment, reduced risk of infection, and improved cosmetic results. It’s important to talk with your dentist about whether laser therapy is right for you so you can get back on track with your oral health care routine.

Periodontal Therapy in Point Pleasant, NJ

At Coastal Dental, we provide comprehensive periodontal therapy services to keep your teeth healthy and strong. Our treatments start by thoroughly evaluating your dental health and creating a personalized plan to treat and prevent gum disease or other periodontal issues.

In addition to providing quality treatment, we dedicate ourselves to helping you maintain oral hygiene with post-treatment evaluations, personalized advice on daily dental care, and ongoing encouragement. Join the family at Coastal Dental today for reliable and compassionate periodontal care tailored just for you!

We always welcome new patients and cannot wait to help you with your dental needs. Contact us today to get your appointment scheduled!

About the Author

Dr. Joseph Zicchino provides a wide array of cosmetic dentistry services, including Invisalign^® Clear Aligners, at his practice in Point Pleasant, NJ. He earned his dental degree from NYU Dental School and established Coastal Dental Group in 2004. For more information call (732) 714-1030 or to schedule an appointment!