If you suffer from periodontal disease, it is important to receive treatment as soon as possible to avoid further damage to your teeth and gums, and to prevent eventual tooth loss. Our Los Angeles dentist has several methods of dealing with advanced gum disease, and will be happy to discuss your options with you. Most periodontal interventions have a very high success rate when they are performed early in the gum disease process.

Periodontal treatment can be divided into two categories: non-surgical and surgical. If periodontal disease is not greatly advanced, it may be possible to treat the condition without surgery. However, in many cases, non-surgical procedures may not be effective enough to stop the spread of gum disease.

The most common non-surgical procedure for periodontal treatment is scaling and root planing. In this form of treatment, pockets of tartar and plaque are removed from the teeth and gums, and the roots of the teeth are cleaned to remove harmful bacteria. Scaling and root planing is often effective, with follow-up maintenance care, in stopping early gum disease from spreading.

However, if this treatment is unsuccessful, the next step in periodontal treatment is surgical intervention. Surgical treatment includes pocket depth reduction, in which the dentist surgically opens pockets containing harmful bacteria and cleans them; regenerative procedures, in which special proteins and antibiotics are added to your tooth’s structure; crown lengthening, which exposes more of the tooth’s healthy enamel; and soft tissue grafts, which allow the gums to regenerate with healthy tissue.

Periodontal treatment may be enhanced with the use of lasers. Laser technology provides more exact and definite treatment for your problems, and give the dentist greater control over your procedures. The use of lasers may shorten the time your procedure takes and your subsequent recovery time.

Our Los Angeles cosmetic dentist can help you understand your periodontal issues and decide on the best course of treatment to keep your teeth and gums healthy. Talk to our professionals today and begin taking care of gum disease immediately—it is the only way to save your teeth and give you a healthy, beautiful smile which will last for years!