Periodontal Treatment (Including Scaling and Root Planing)

Gum (or periodontal) disease is a chronic condition caused by bacterial infection around the teeth resulting in permanent bone loss.  It can eventually result in the loss of the teeth and possibly other health problems. 

We measure your gum numbers and check your gum health at your first visit and routinely afterward at recall visits.  If we note the pocket numbers are abnormal or deepening around some or all of your teeth we may recommend scaling and root planing.  This can usually be done with a local anesthetic placed around the tooth.  Usually more frequent recare appointments are recommended, at least until the condition stabilizes. 

There are other treatments available and can discuss these as needed on an individual basis.  Sometimes for a local area of periodontal disease we may recommend placing a local antibiotic to help with the chronically infected area.