Non-surgical therapy removes plaque and calculus by controlling the growth of harmful bacteria and by treating conditions that encourage gum disease. This type of treatment may be all that’s needed, especially when periodontal disease is caught early. You may also need to have certain procedures, such as replacing worn fillings or crowns with overhanging margins that can accumulate plaque, taken care of before periodontal therapy can begin.
Scaling is a type of cleaning that removes plaque and calculus from the teeth at and slightly below the gumline. Root planing smooths root surfaces, so the supportive tissues can better reattach to the tooth surface. Often, this will be done with local anesthesia so you can relax and feel nothing as we rehabilitate your gums.
Periodontal disease is a bacterial disease and the key to controlling or eliminating it is the effective reduction or elimination of the harmful bacteria. An adjunctive option to scaling and root planing may be provided in either pill form or applied directly to the infected area (gum pocket) in the form of antibiotic powder. An antibacterial mouth rinse also may be prescribed to help control the harmful effects of and reduce bacterial plaque.
An improper bite or a traumatic occlusion may increase bone destruction attached to such offending teeth. We may either choose to adjust your bite so that your teeth meet properly and function better or construct a custom bite guard or splint- a removable device that fits over upper or lower teeth – to protect teeth surfaces and relax tense jaw muscles.
Laser Bacterial Reduction is a revolutionary new technology that attacks gum disease at a microscopic level by using a soft tissue laser. The laser targets bacterial colonies that may be otherwise hard to reach through regular means. It promotes healing and the destruction of the bacteria that causes periodontal disease and inflammation. Inflammation of the gums is linked to life threatening diseases such as heart attack, stroke and Alzheimer’s, as the diseased gum tissue causes pockets that bacteria can enter and fester in. Laser Bacterial Reduction focuses and targets harmful bacteria by circling the teeth and gum pockets and reducing the billions of bacteria within the pocket to hundreds within a matter of seconds.
After Laser Bacterial Reduction, bacterial levels slowly grow back to original levels, but proper oral care can heal the area enough so that the healthy surrounding gum can reattach itself and shrink the deep pockets. Laser Bacterial Reduction can help reduce or eliminate bacteria that can enter the bloodstream, and can prevent cross contamination of infection within the mouth. It also helps to destroy bacteria before it causes severe damage to the structures surrounding the tooth, resulting in tooth loss. It can also help improve overall health by boosting the immune system. In all, we recommend patients with severe gum disease and deep pockets undergo this procedure, which is painless and easy, taking anywhere from 5-10 minutes depending on the severity of the gum disease. Laser Bacterial Reduction done by our doctor in Del Ray, Alexandria is a simple and effective way to immediately rid the gums of bacteria causing damage to teeth and gums.
Perio Protect is a comprehensive approach to gum disease treatment. The approach combines dental cleanings with the comfortable Perio Tray® delivery of medication that patients use at home between office visits. The Perio Tray is similar to a mouth-guard, but it has a special sealing system to deliver medication below the gums. You put medication in the tray and wear it for a few minutes a day. The medication fights the infections. It’s that easy.
The Perio Protect treatment approach uniquely adds more effective home-care to a treatment plan. Bacteria that cause inflammation and disease are hidden deep below the gums and are extremely difficult to manage at home with toothbrushes, rinses and floss. The Perio Tray is able to reach deep into the pockets between the teeth and gums, applying medication to infected gum tissue that cannot be reached using toothbrushes, dental floss, or mouthwashes. In fact, the Perio Protect Tray was created to help patients fight periodontal diseases.
At Dental Excellence of Del Ray in Alexandria, we are proud to offer Perio Protect to our patients for better periodontal health.
