Periodontal Disease Treatment
 Periodontal disease, commonly called gum disease, is a serious, progressive oral health issue. While it is called gum disease, it affects more than just your gum tissue. It also affects the teeth, the periodontal ligaments, and the jawbone. It can impact your oral health, your smile, and your quality of life. Getting treatment as soon as symptoms are noticed is essential for stopping the disease in its tracks and restoring your oral health. At Oregon Periodontics, P.C., we can provide the treatment you need, no matter what your stage of periodontal disease.
Scaling and Root Planing
Scaling and root planing is a deep cleaning of your teeth to remove even the most stubborn buildup. Scaling focuses on the visible surfaces of your teeth, carefully removing plaque, tartar, bacteria and other debris from every space. Special attention is paid to the area around, and just under, the gumline. Root planing involves smoothing the roots of your teeth. Using a small, specialized tool, we go below the gumline and scrape across the surfaces of the roots. This removes plaque, bacteria, and other toxins. With a smooth surface, it is much more difficult for new bacteria to adhere. With the irritants gone, your gums can begin to heal.
Periodontal Maintenance
Periodontal maintenance is a series of regularly scheduled periodontal visits, during which we examine your teeth to monitor progress and provide you with cleanings. Depending on your situation, we may recommend that you have visits every two months, while other patients can go up to six months between visits. Periodontal maintenance is usually recommended following other treatments for periodontal disease.
Laser Treatment With LANAP®
When your gum tissue swells, a result of the irritation caused by plaque and bacteria, it pulls away from your teeth. Pockets are created, trapping bacteria and other debris below the gumline. The bacteria continue to attack the soft tissue, causing more inflammation. The pockets grow deeper, and bacteria fall lower. Manual tools can only reach so far. Traditionally, to clean out deep periodontal pockets, surgery is required. With LANAP laser treatment, we can destroy the bacteria below the gumline, as well as alter the gum tissue so that it can heal. The LANAP laser is much less invasive than a traditional scalpel, which means much less pain during recovery.
Soft Tissue Grafting
Gum recession is a common issue with periodontal disease. As tissue pulls away from the teeth, the tissue dies. The longer the disease goes untreated, the more the gumline recedes. Eventually, your roots may become exposed, causing major tooth sensitivity. Gum recession can also increase your risk for cavities and loose teeth. Soft tissue grafting is a procedure designed to restore the natural line to your gums, giving you back your oral health as well as your beautiful smile. The procedure requires tissue from the roof of your mouth, and it is sutured in place over the areas of recession. Using microsurgical techniques, we can precisely place the tissue and provide you with the best possible results.
Getting treatment as soon as periodontal disease is suspected will help you to prevent serious consequences. For more information, and to schedule your consultation, call Oregon Periodontics, P.C. today at (503) 575-7750. |
