“Periodontal treatment” is a term that can sound threatening, so let’s break it down.
“Perio” simply means, “around.” “Dontal” refers to your teeth. So, anything “periodontal” is something that needs to be done for the tissue and/or bones that are around your teeth. That said, the type of periodontal treatment one receives depends on how advance the problem is.
Inflamed gums resulting from gingivitis may require nothing but a very thorough, professional cleaning of your teeth, above and just below the gum line. Periodontal treatments depend on the type of gum disease and how severe it is.
If a condition that used to be gingivitis has advanced to something more serious, your periodontist might recommend a procedure called “scaling and root planning.” That involves using special instruments to clean deep down inside the pocket your tooth sits in. The root is also shaped and smoothed so that bacteria can’t find nooks and crannies in which to hide, and so the gum can more easily reattach to the tooth.
In situations where standard planing and scaling can’t get the job done, periodontal surgery—in which the periodontist gains access into the gums for a better angle on deep-seated plaque and tartar—may be called for. After that kind of surgery, the gums will be sewn back together with sutures, so that they cling tightly to the tooth.
That’s a very brief overview of the many ways a periodontist can help with gum disease, but we hope it gives you an idea of just how important it is to see a specialist about periodontal problems. StarBrite Dental feels that it’s important enough to keep a full-time periodontist on the StarBrite team.