Pocket Reduction Treatment
Periodontics focused on the area around the roots of teeth. This is inclusive of gums, bone and the supporting ligaments of your teeth. Some of the more common periodontal services are scaling and root planing (“deep cleaning”), crown lengthening and dental implants. For periodontal treatment, we have a dedicated periodontal specialist (or Periodontists) who will complete your procedures.
If periodontal disease is present, there are multiple methods of non-surgical and surgical periodontal treatments that can be performed to restore health. If caught in the early stages, non-surgical procedures can be performed to alleviate the infection. If the disease has advanced to the point where the periodontal pockets are deep and the supporting bone is lost, further surgical treatment may be necessary. Reducing pocket depth and eliminating existing bacteria are important to prevent damage caused by the progression of periodontal disease and to help you maintain a healthy smile.
The initial stage of treatment for periodontal disease is usually a thorough cleaning that includes scaling or root planing. The objective of these non-surgical procedures is to remove plaque, tartar and calculus from below the gumline which causes gingival inflammation and disease. Scaling and root planing can be used as a stand-alone treatment, or as a preventative measure. Periodontal scaling and root planing is commonly used in cases of gingivitis and moderate to severe periodontal disease.
We will only perform scaling and root planing after a thorough examination of the mouth, which may include taking x-rays and visually examining the mouth. Depending on the condition of the gums, the amount of tartar present, the depth of the pockets, and the progression of periodontitis, we may recommend scaling and root planing. In some cases, a local anesthesia may be used during the procedures.
Antibiotics or irrigation with antimicrobials (chemical agents or mouth rinses) may be recommended to help control the growth of bacteria that create toxins and cause periodontitis. One option for this is called ARESTIN® (minocycline hydrochloride). This medication is placed directly into the infected areas or ‘pockets’ in your gums immediately after scaling and root planing procedures. is an antibiotic that kills the bacteria that cause the infection.
If treatment is successful, scaling and root planing can have many periodontal benefits but the primary one is the prevention of disease. Research has proven that bacteria from periodontal infections can travel through the bloodstream and affect other areas of the body, sometimes causing heart and respiratory diseases. Scaling and root planing removes the bacteria that causes these conditions.
To find out more about specific procedures, contact our office.
