Gum Disease Therapy

Gum disease is a silent, chronic, painless and communicable bacterial infection that often goes undetected or ignored until severe gum and bone destruction is unbearable and no longer able to be ignored. Left untreated, gum disease can cause tooth loss and traditional treatment can hurt.

The initial stage of treatment is usually a thorough cleaning that may include scaling to remove plaque and tartar deposits beneath the gum line.

The tooth roots may also be planed to smooth the root surface allowing the gum tissue to heal and reattach to the tooth. In some cases, the occlusion (bite) may require adjustment in order to reduce damaging forces on the teeth and supporting tissues.

Antibiotics or irrigation with anti-microbials (chemical agents or mouth rinses) may be recommended to help control the growth of bacteria that create toxins and cause gum disease. In some cases, Drs. Deal and Carlton may place antibiotics in the periodontal pockets after the planing and scaling in order to help control the infection and encourage normal healing.

Following a 4 to 6 week period of healing the teeth and gums are then re-evaluated to determine the success of the treatments. If the gum tissue has healed adequately then the patient will enter a routine continued care program which is designed to maintain the result.

When deeper pockets persist between the teeth and gums, it may be difficult for Drs. Deal and Carlton to thoroughly remove the plaque and tartar. In this situation, patients can seldom, if ever, keep these pockets clean and free from plaque. Consequently, Drs. Deal and Carlton may recommend further periodontal treatment options to reduce the periodontal pockets and restore gum health.

Every situation is different and only a thorough evaluation and diagnosis can determine which treatments are right for you. Please feel free to contact our office at 574-534-5528 for more information and to schedule your evaluation.