Periodontal Therapy
Learn more about Scaling and Root Planing, Pocket Treatments and Periodontal Maintenance
Periodontal Disease
Periodontitis refers to a number of inflammatory diseases affecting the periodontium — that is, the tissues that surround and support the teeth. Periodontitis involves progressive loss of the alveolar bone around the teeth, and if left untreated, can lead to the loosening and subsequent loss of teeth. Periodontitis is caused by microorganisms that adhere to and grow on the tooth’s surfaces, along with an overly aggressive immune response against these microorganism. A diagnosis of periodontitis is established by inspecting the soft gum tissues around the teeth with a probe and x-ray films by visual analysis, to determine the amount of bone loss around the teeth.
The objective of scaling and root planing, otherwise known as conventional periodontal therapy or non-surgical periodontal therapy, is to remove or eliminate the etiologic agents which cause inflammation: dental plaque, its products and calculus, thus helping to establish a periodontium that is free of disease.
Periodontal scaling procedures “include the removal of plaque, calculus and stain from the crown and root surfaces of teeth, whereas root planing is a specific treatment that removes the roughened cementum and surface dentin that is impregnated with calculus, microorganisms and their toxins.”
Scaling and root planing are often referred to as deep cleaning, and may be performed using a number of dental tools, including ultrasonic instruments and hand instruments, such as periodontal scalers and curettes.
We fight infection right where it starts and offer various treatment options to fight periodontal disease.
ARESTIN® (minocycline hydrochloride) Microspheres, 1 mg is an effective antibiotic treatment that comes in powder form. This powder is placed inside infected periodontal pockets just after the dental professional finishes the scaling and root planing (SRP) procedure. The 1 mg powder contains “Microspheres”, tiny, bead-like particles that are smaller than grains of sand and are not visible to the eye. The Microspheres are filled with the antibiotic minocycline, and they release the drug over time into the infected periodontal pocket, killing the bacteria that causes periodontal disease.
Laser Therapy with ZAP Lasers®
Soon after the invention of the LASER (Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission Radiation) in the early 1960’s, it was described as “a solution in search of a problem.” However, since that time, the laser has found a place as a useful tool in many scientific, military, medical, and industrial applications. The Diode Laser has found its way into the modern dental practice. One of the laser’s unique features, is the ability to concentrate energy at a focused point, allowing the professional to prepare or treat tissue in a way unheard of in past dentistry. The laser provides the clinician the ability to seal blood vessels and small nerve endings during the procedures. This means you can expect gentle precise procedures with little or no anesthetic, no bleeding and very little post- operative pain and swelling.
Once successful periodontal treatment has been completed, with or without surgery, an ongoing regimen of “periodontal maintenance” is required. This involves regular checkups and detailed cleanings every 3 months to prevent repopulation of periodontitis-causing microorganism, and to closely monitor affected teeth so that early treatment can be rendered if disease recurs. Usually periodontal disease exist due to poor plaque control, therefore if the brushing techniques are not modified, a periodontal recurrence is probable.