Periodontal Therapy

If you have been noticing that your gums are more swollen and tender than usual or they bleed when you brush or floss, you may be suffering from gum disease. This condition can lead to many oral problems and without treatment can progress until you lose teeth. Worried you may have periodontal disease? Don’t wait to treat your symptoms. Schedule a periodontal therapy consultation with our dentist today!

Symptoms of Gum Disease

  • Bleeding gums
  • Red, swollen gums
  • Gum recession
  • Chronic bad breath
  • Sensitive or loose teeth
  • Jaw bone loss

What Causes Gum Disease?

Gum disease develops when bacterial plaque and tartar buildup on the teeth infect the gum tissues. The irritated gum tissues become sore and swollen, bleeding easily whenever you brush and floss. Gum disease is progressive, which means that bacteria will continue to damage tissue and bone structure. This leads to loose teeth and eventually tooth loss.

Treating Gum Disease with Periodontal Therapy

Our dentist provides several treatment options for your gum disease. Receiving periodontal therapy as soon as you or your dentist notice symptoms is the best way to ensure your oral health stays on track. Our dentist may treat your periodontal disease with either non-surgical or surgical treatment, depending on the severity of your case.

  • Non-Surgical Treatment. Dental scaling and root planing to deep clean the teeth above and below the gums. Scaling removes plaque, tartar, and bacteria that cause infection below the gumline. Root planing smooths the rough areas of the teeth to discourage bacteria from attaching to the surface.
  • Surgical Treatment. Pocket reduction (osseous) surgery for advanced gum disease that removes diseased tissue and deep cleans the teeth below the gumline. Osseous surgery helps restore healthier gums, so they can reattach to the teeth.

Scaling & Root Planing

Discover how scaling and root planing can be your path to a happier, healthier mouth.

What is Scaling & Root Planing?

Scaling and root planing, often referred to as deep cleaning, is a proven non-surgical periodontal therapy designed to combat the early stages of gum disease. Our skilled team of periodontal experts employs this highly effective procedure to remove plaque and tartar buildup from below the gumline and smooth the root surfaces of your teeth. By doing so, we can help you regain a healthier, infection-free smile and prevent further damage to your gums and teeth.

Bone Grafts

Dental bone grafts are necessary when significant jawbone loss has occurred. This procedure is often completed before or during dental implant survey to replace lost bone in the jaw. Bone grafts can be taken from your own bone, a human cadaver, or a different species, or made from synthetic material. The goal of bone grafts is to help restore the bone in your jaw, so you can maintain a healthy, strong smile.

Common Reasons for Bone Grafts

If you have one or more missing teeth, you most likely are experiencing jawbone atrophy. When teeth are lost, your jawbone no longer receives the necessary stimulation to stay healthy and strong. In addition to missing teeth, bone atrophy in your jaw can be the result of many different oral conditions, including:

  • Periodontal (gum) disease
  • Tooth extractions
  • Dentures or dental bridges
  • Oral trauma
  • Sinus deficiencies
  • Facial tumors

The Dental Bone Graft Procedure

Common dental bone graft procedures include ridge augmentation, sinus lift, and socket preservation. During a bone graft procedure, a dentist or oral surgeon takes the bone graft material and places it beneath the gum tissue where bone has atrophied. They may cover the bone graft material with a membrane to keep it in place before suturing the gum tissue. Depending on the severity of bone loss, a bone graft procedure can be completed in under an hour or may take several hours.


Over the next several months, the bone graft will fuse to your existing natural bone and restore your jaw ridge. During this time, you will need to be careful of what foods you eat and make sure you maintain good oral hygiene. Once healed, your jawbone will be strong enough to support tooth replacements as dental implants, dental bridges, or dentures. 

The Benefits of Bone Grafts

  • Rebuild atrophied jawbone
  • Support existing teeth and gums
  • Maintain aesthetic facial structure
  • Ensure candidacy for dental implants

If you are suffering from jawbone loss, we encourage you to contact our dentist office. We can help you rebuild your natural jawbone and help restore your smile!

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