Advanced Periodontal Services

in Rockville, MD

Your gums do more than just frame your smile, they provide critical support to your teeth and play an essential role in your overall oral health. At StarBrite Dental in Rockville, MD, we offer a full range of advanced periodontal services designed to treat gum disease, protect the structures that support your teeth, and restore long-term health to your smile.

Whether you’ve been diagnosed with mild gingivitis or advanced periodontitis, our expert periodontal team provides personalized care using the latest techniques and technologies. From deep cleanings and gum grafting to laser therapy and dental implants, each treatment is tailored to your unique needs, comfort level, and long-term health goals.

Healthy gums are the foundation of a healthy smile, and we’re here to help you preserve both. Explore our specialized periodontal services below to learn more about how we can help you maintain optimal oral health for years to come.

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Gum Disease Treatment

Gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, affects the tissues that support your teeth and can progress silently if left untreated. At StarBrite Dental, our experienced team is committed to providing comprehensive gum disease treatment options tailored to your individual needs.

For early-stage cases, a dental hygienist may perform scaling and root planing—a deep cleaning that removes plaque and tartar from below the gum line. This nonsurgical treatment helps reduce periodontal pockets and can effectively halt the progression of the disease.

In more advanced stages, surgical treatments such as flap surgery, bone surgery, laser surgery, and soft tissue grafts may be recommended. These procedures are designed to eliminate infection, reduce pocket depth, and preserve or stabilize the supporting structures of your teeth. In some cases, guided tissue regeneration or grafting techniques may also be used to rebuild areas damaged by gum recession or bone loss.

Each procedure is carefully planned with precision and patient comfort in mind. While not all treatments stimulate new bone or tissue growth, all aim to stop the disease from worsening and relieve symptoms associated with periodontal damage.

Our goal is to protect your smile from long-term harm while enhancing your oral health and overall quality of life.

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Periodontal Maintenance

Once gum disease has been brought under control, consistent periodontal maintenance is essential to keeping it from returning. At StarBrite Dental, we develop personalized maintenance plans to help our patients maintain healthy gums and avoid future complications.

A periodontal maintenance appointment typically includes localized deep cleaning techniques, such as scaling and root planing, where a dental hygienist removes plaque and bacteria above and below the gum line. These thorough periodontal cleanings help prevent the recurrence of infection and reduce inflammation in the gum tissue.

Routine maintenance is particularly important for patients who have undergone periodontal surgery or experienced advanced periodontal disease. These visits enable us to monitor the depth of gum pockets, assess tissue healing, and detect early signs of infection or other related health issues.

Ongoing care through periodontal maintenance ensures long-term protection for your teeth, gums, and bone structure, supporting your overall oral and systemic health.

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Periodontal Surgery (Osseous Surgery)

When nonsurgical options are no longer enough to treat gum disease, periodontal surgery, such as osseous surgery, may be recommended to restore oral health. At StarBrite Dental, we offer surgical solutions designed to address advanced gum disease and protect your natural smile.

The osseous surgery procedure, also known as pocket reduction surgery, reshapes damaged gum and bone tissue, reducing deep gum pockets. It’s often used when severe gum disease does not respond to treatments like scaling and root planing.

During surgery, gums are gently lifted to clean the tooth roots and smooth irregular bone. In some cases, we use soft tissue grafts or tissue regenerative membranes to support healing. Techniques such as guided tissue regeneration may also be applied to encourage the growth of new gum tissue and bone.

This gum surgery helps reduce bacteria, stabilize teeth, and lower the risk of tooth loss. By restoring gum health it plays a critical role in reversing the damage caused by periodontal disease.

If you're experiencing persistent symptoms or gum recession, our experienced team is here to help you explore advanced treatment options.

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Scaling & Root Planing

Scaling and root planing is one of the most effective ways to treat gum disease in its early and moderate stages. This non-surgical deep cleaning procedure targets harmful bacteria and buildup that forms below the gum line and contributes to periodontal disease.

The process starts with dental scaling, where a dental hygienist carefully removes plaque and tartar from the tooth surfaces, especially beneath the gum tissue. Following this, the roots are smoothed through root planing treatment, which helps reduce periodontal pockets and encourages the gums to reattach firmly to the tooth.

This procedure is essential for halting the disease’s process and preventing further progression to chronic periodontitis, which can lead to loose teeth and even periodontal surgery if left untreated.

Patients may notice a significant reduction in swollen gums, improved comfort, and better overall periodontal health following treatment. In some cases, scaling and root planing is the first step before more invasive options, such as flap surgery or regenerative procedures, are considered.

At StarBrite Dental, our team ensures your comfort and safety throughout every step of this foundational gum disease treatment.

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Gingivectomy

A gingivectomy is a specialized form of periodontal surgery designed to remove diseased gum tissue and reshape the gum line for improved oral health. It is often recommended when non-surgical methods are not enough to treat gum disease or treat periodontal disease that has caused persistent inflammation and deep periodontal pockets.

The procedure involves a soft tissue incision to carefully remove excess gum tissue or diseased tissue. In many cases, a laser gingivectomy is used to minimize discomfort, bleeding, and recovery time. After the targeted area is reshaped, a surgical dressing is applied to protect the remaining gums and promote a smooth healing process.

This approach is ideal for major gum removal in patients with advanced gum problems or overgrown gum tissues caused by genetics, medication, or chronic infection. A gingivectomy may also be used cosmetically to create a more symmetrical appearance between the teeth and gums.

By addressing deep infection and restoring a healthy contour to the gums, gingivectomy helps patients regain both comfort and confidence. At StarBrite Dental, we provide this treatment with precision and care to ensure long-term improvements in gum health.

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Gum Grafting

Gum graft surgery is a proven solution for treating gum recession and rebuilding lost tissue around the teeth. When receding gums expose the tooth root, it can lead to sensitivity, increased risk of decay, and even tooth loss if left untreated.

At StarBrite Dental, we use a variety of gum grafting techniques to restore protection and strength to the gum tissue surrounding your teeth. These techniques include connective tissue grafts, free gum grafts, and donor tissue grafts from a tissue bank, depending on your specific condition.

During the grafting procedure, a small piece of healthy gum tissue is placed over the affected area to cover the exposed root and promote healing. This may be your own tissue or tissue sourced from a safe donor. The goal is to restore thickness to thin gums, reduce further gum loss, and improve overall gum health.

This type of periodontal surgery is often used in patients experiencing thinning gums, chronic bleeding gums, or damage from periodontal disease. With proper care, gum grafts help prevent additional tissue loss and support long-term oral stability.

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Periodontal Laser Surgery

Laser gum treatment is a modern alternative to traditional gum surgery, using laser technology to gently remove diseased tissue and support healing with minimal discomfort.

Our soft tissue laser allows for precise removal of inflamed gum tissue while preserving healthy tissue. This targeted approach reduces the need for cutting or stitches, unlike gum flap surgery.

As part of a broader periodontal disease treatment plan, laser therapy can reduce periodontal pocket depth and help treat gum disease with quicker recovery and minimal inflammation.

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Gum Contouring

Gum contouring procedures are a cosmetic and functional solution for reshaping uneven or excessive gum tissue. At StarBrite Dental, this service enhances your smile while supporting long-term gum health.

If you have a gummy smile, uneven gum line, or areas of gum recession, a gum contouring procedure can restore symmetry and balance. It may also be performed with crown lengthening to expose more tooth surface for a restorative dental procedure.

We use gentle soft tissue laser techniques during gum contouring surgery, which allows for precision and faster healing. Whether we're removing excess gum tissue or reshaping areas where gum tissue pulls away from the teeth, the results are both functional and aesthetic.

Crown Lengthening

Crown lengthening surgery is a precise procedure designed to expose more of the affected tooth by reshaping the gum line and underlying bone. It’s often recommended when there isn’t enough tooth structure visible for a filling, crown, or other restorative dental procedure.

This treatment is also used to correct a gummy smile or uneven gum levels. During the crown lengthening procedure, our team utilizes advanced surgical techniques to gently remove excess gum tissue while recounting bone, thereby allowing the proper amount of tooth to be visible for cosmetic or restorative purposes.

At StarBrite Dental, our approach to crown lengthening procedures prioritizes patient comfort and long-term results, helping you achieve both functional health and aesthetic balance.

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Esthetic Crown Lengthening

Esthetic crown lengthening procedures are designed to improve the appearance of the maxillary anterior teeth, where a gummy smile or uneven gingival margin may detract from the aesthetics of your smile.

Unlike standard crown lengthening surgery, this surgical procedure focuses solely on visual symmetry. It often involves osseous resection and adjustment of the alveolar bone crest to ensure long-lasting results.

During the esthetic crown lengthening procedure, we remove excess gingival tissue and contour the connective tissue attachment and bone around the teeth. This reveals more natural tooth structure and helps balance proportions.

This type of crown lengthening treatment can be a key part of a cosmetic smile makeover. At StarBrite Dental, we deliver surgical lengthening with artistic precision to enhance your smile while protecting your gum and bone health.

Bone Grafting

Bone grafting procedures are essential when bone loss has occurred due to periodontal disease, tooth loss, or trauma. At StarBrite Dental, we perform advanced dental bone grafts to restore bone volume and support future dental treatments, such as implants.

During bone grafting surgery, we use high-quality bone graft material, whether from your own bone, a tissue bank, or synthetic sources, to fill in areas of lost bone. This transplanted bone integrates with your living bone, encouraging new bone growth and stability.

Our team uses proven bone grafting materials to support bone healing and enhance bone formation in weakened or compromised areas. The procedure helps prepare the jaw for dental implants or restores strength after tooth loss.

There are different types of bone grafts, and we tailor our approach to each patient’s specific needs. With careful planning and the right bone grafting material, we help promote long-term oral health and functional outcomes for patients who need structural reinforcement.

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Sinus Lift

A sinus lift procedure is often needed when the upper jaw lacks sufficient bone height to support dental implants. This condition is common in the area of the maxillary sinuses, especially following tooth loss in the back of the upper jawbone.

During sinus lift surgery, the sinus floor is carefully raised, and bone grafting material is placed beneath the lifted membrane. This creates space for new bone to grow, increasing bone density in the maxilla or upper jaw.

Also known as sinus augmentation, this technique improves the chances of successful implant placement by strengthening the jawbone in the maxillary sinus cavity. At StarBrite Dental, we use high-quality bone graft materials to encourage natural integration and long-term stability

If you're told you need a sinus lift, our experienced team will guide you through the process with care, utilizing advanced techniques to ensure a smooth experience and optimal results.

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Coronectomy

A coronectomy is a specialized alternative to full wisdom tooth extraction, often recommended when removing impacted mandibular third molars could risk injury to the inferior dental nerve. Instead of extracting the entire tooth, this procedure removes only the crown while leaving the wisdom tooth roots undisturbed.

This approach helps minimize the chance of inferior alveolar nerve injury, especially in cases involving impacted wisdom teeth or when a patient’s mandibular wisdom tooth is positioned close to nerve pathways. By avoiding full tooth removal, patients experience fewer complications and a lower risk of permanent nerve damage.

Before surgery, advanced imaging like cone beam computed tomography or dental computed tomography is used to assess the proximity of the mandibular third molar roots to critical structures.

In the debate of coronectomy versus excision, this conservative approach is often the safer choice for preserving nerve function during mandibular third molar surgery. At StarBrite Dental, our team uses precision and planning to ensure your safety and comfort every step of the way.

Oral Biopsies and Soft Tissue Lesion Evaluation

Biopsies play a vital role in diagnosing abnormal growths or lesions in the mouth. At StarBrite Dental, our skilled periodontists provide soft tissue biopsy services to help identify the cause of persistent oral lesions and determine the most effective treatment approach.

Oral biopsies may be recommended when patients present with unexplained lumps, patches, or cyst-like growths. One common example is a mucocele—a fluid-filled cyst that forms when a salivary gland duct is blocked, often due to trauma to the lip or cheek. While mucoceles are typically benign and painless, they can interfere with speaking or chewing and may require surgical removal if they persist.

During a biopsy, a small sample of the affected tissue is removed and sent to a lab for analysis. This allows for accurate diagnosis and ensures that any underlying issues—such as infections, inflammatory conditions, or potential malignancies—are properly addressed.

Our team prioritizes patient comfort and safety throughout the process, using precise techniques to protect surrounding structures and minimize discomfort. By offering in-office biopsies, we support early detection and effective management of a wide range of oral health

Dental Bone Spur Removal

A dental bone spur, or bone spicule, is a small, sharp projection that may emerge from the jaw bone following tooth extraction or other oral surgeries. These fragments, sometimes referred to as bone fragments or bony spurs, can irritate the gum tissue and surrounding soft tissues, causing discomfort or delayed healing.

Dental bone spur removal involves a minor oral surgery to smooth or remove the bone fragment, relieving pain and promoting a healthy healing process. In most cases, the procedure is quick and performed under local anesthesia.

Spurs may result from bone loss, trauma, or natural bone damage during extraction. Our team will carefully evaluate the area to determine whether you're experiencing a bone spicule, bone sequestra, or other condition affecting the surrounding bone and soft tissues.

At StarBrite Dental, we provide precise care when removing dental bone spurs, helping patients achieve a smooth, irritation-free recovery.