Periodontal Disease
Periodontal/Gum Disease Treatment
Periodontists are dentists with three additional years of specialized training after dental school. They are masters of the treatment skills necessary for predictable and successful periodontal disease treatment.
Dr. Salzberg provides non-surgical and surgical options for the treatment of periodontal issues. We take pride in our conservative periodontal therapy and limit surgery to areas where it is absolutely necessary. Treatment methods depend on the type of disease and how far the condition has progressed.
Scaling and Root planing
Scaling and root planing is a non-invasive and effective initial therapy for treatment of periodontal (gum) disease. The procedure is commonly performed with local anesthesia to allow removal of plaque, tartar, and bacteria beneath the gum line. Once the tooth is smoothed with scaling and root planing, healing is promoted, which prevents bacteria from colonizing easily in the future.
Sometimes, as an adjunct to scaling and root planing, antibiotics may be placed inside the periodontal pockets to help kill the bacteria that contribute to gum disease. When periodontal pockets are very deep, it is difficult to remove all plaque and tartar. Therefore, after initial therapy, surgical therapy with or without guided bone regeneration may be necessary to restore periodontal health.
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Periodontal Maintenance
It is important that you have your teeth cleaned professionally on a regular basis. After Dr. Salzberg has completed the active phase of periodontal treatment, she will provide you with a personalized supportive periodontal maintenance program to keep your gums healthy. The frequency of your supportive periodontal maintenance will be influenced by the type of periodontal disease and treatment you have, your response to treatment, your rate of plaque growth, and your personal commitment to meticulous home oral care.
Regularly scheduled maintenance therapy visits with your general dentist and Dr. Salzberg will help you keep your teeth for your lifetime. Appointments for supportive periodontal maintenance do not replace regular dental checkups. If Dr. Salzberg detects tooth decay during a periodontal maintenance visit, you will be referred to your general dentist for treatment.
Protecting your periodontal health through preventative maintenance will help keep dental costs down by preventing future problems. Your commitment to maintenance therapy will give you the best chance of keeping your teeth for life.
Prophylaxis
We recommend that prophylaxis (teeth cleaning) be performed to thoroughly clean the teeth and gums. Usually, it is done twice per year as a preventative measure, but should be completed every 3-4 months for patients with periodontitis. Prophylaxis is done in conjunction with a routine dental examination to detect tooth decay and gum disease. Prophylaxis can be performed at our office or by your general dentist. Since gum disease cannot be completely reversed, prophylaxis is one of the tools Dr. Salzberg can use to effectively halt its progression.