Gum Disease Treatment

You're probably here because you've been told you have gum disease. But what you don't know is what to expect from gum disease treatment. The answers are all here. First of all, the reasons why you need gum treatment might differ; you could have sore, bleeding gums or receding gums or loose teeth. Treatment for gum disease depends on the stage of gum disease. Gingivitis can usually be cleared up with a thorough dental cleaning, which removes plaque and tartar buildup along the gum line, and by practicing good oral hygiene at home. Treatment of gum disease such as periodontitis is a little more complicated. Keep reading to learn the ins and outs of gum infection treatment.

Q: What is a scaling and root planing gum treatment?
A: Scaling and root planing is the most common type of gum disease treatment for periodontal disease (aka periodontitis). It is considered the most conservative gum infection treatment because it requires no surgery. Instead, a scaling and root planing treatment for gum disease involves the use of ultrasonic scalers as well as hand instruments. The scalers are used to remove large deposits of plaque and tartar, particularly near the crown and gum line, whereas the hand instruments are used to remove any remaining deposits plus smooth out the surface of the root.

Q: Is surgery involved in the treatment of gum disease?
A: Surgical gum treatment may be recommended if the tissue surrounding your teeth can't be repaired with non-surgical gum infection treatment. There are four basic types of surgical gum disease treatments: 1) pocket reduction procedures; 2) regenerative procedures; 3) crown lengthening procedures; and 4) soft tissue grafts.

Q: Are lasers used in gum disease treatment?
A: A dental laser can be used in the treatment for gum disease, but it depends if your dentist has one. With a dental laser, your dentist can perform a treatment for gum disease (periodontal disease in particular) without making an incision. The disease tissue is quickly removed and the nerve endings are sealed - sometimes without a local anesthesia. A laser gum treatment also results in shorter recovery time; many patients can return to work the same day.