Periodontal disease, which is commonly known as gum disease, is a serious oral health condition that affects nearly half the adults in the U.S. When bacteria invade the gum tissue, the infection may present mild symptoms at first. As it progresses, however, gum disease can lead to devastating consequences, including tooth loss and life-threatening systemic illness. The good news is that modern dentistry offers a number of effective ways to fight gum disease. At New Haven Dental Group in Hamden, we are proud to offer multiple types of periodontal therapy.
“Periodontal therapy” is not a specific dental procedure. Rather, it is a term used to apply to any treatment that helps to fight gum disease. The goal of such treatments is to rid the mouth of the bacteria below the gum line that is causing the infection. In some cases, periodontal therapy is relatively simple and takes just one appointment. In more severe cases, multiple appointments are necessary to achieve the desired results.
We offer three types of periodontal therapy. When you visit us for your periodontal checkup, we might recommend one of the below treatments, or a combination of them.
A soft tissue laser is a highly concentrated beam of light that we can use to trim away diseased gum tissue. Once the infected tissue is gone, the remaining healthy portion of the gums will have the opportunity to firmly reattach to the teeth. The laser is quite gentle, and it cauterizes as it moves, which minimizes bleeding and reduces the risk of post-treatment complications. In many cases, patients do not even need local anesthetic during soft tissue laser therapy.
We might recommend antibiotic therapy, possible in the form of a powder we place into the gums or pills that you swallow. The medication will empower your body to fight off harmful bacteria that is lingering within the gum tissue. We seldom prescribe antibiotic therapy on its own; it is usually used after soft tissue laser therapy or scaling and root planing.
Essentially, scaling and root planing is a deep cleaning of the mouth. We get rid of plaque and bacteria both above and below the gum line. Then, we smooth out the teeth’s roots so it is more difficult for bacteria to stick to them.
The price of your periodontal therapy will depend on the severity of your gum disease. In the mildest cases, you might not need any treatment; you may just need some coaching on how to adjust your oral hygiene habits. In more severe cases, an extensive procedure may be necessary. We will be sure to give you a frank estimate for the cost of any procedure we recommend. We will also work with you to help you figure out how insurance and financing may allow your treatment to fit comfortably into your budget.
Would like help in your fight against gum disease? Contact us today to schedule your consultation.
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