What to expect from Non-Surgical Gum Disease Therapy?

Periodontal or gum disease is a serious dental condition resulting from chronic inflammation of gums and the supporting structure of teeth. It is caused by bacteria accumulating on teeth and gums in the form of plaque.

As the gum disease progresses, it can cause inflammation, pain, and swelling of the gums. Your gums might easily bleed while brushing, and the gums can start pulling away from the teeth creating pus-filled pockets between the teeth and gums.

Thankfully, periodontal disease is treatable using non-surgical options, especially in its early stages. The goal of the treatment is to remove the bacterial buildup on the teeth and below the gum line.

What Are Non-Surgical Treatment Options For Gum Disease?

Non-surgical gum disease therapy in Randolph, MA, consists of the following options:

Scaling And Root Planing

It is a method of choice to treat mild periodontal disease or gingivitis that features reddening, swelling, and easily bleeding gums. The procedure involves cleaning the teeth and the roots of the teeth to remove the plaque and tartar buildup that can cause inflammation and infection in the gums.

Scaling involves removing plaque and tartar buildup from the surface of the teeth, as well as below the gum line. It is typically done using special dental instruments, such as a scaler or ultrasonic device. The goal is to remove as much bacteria and debris from the teeth as possible to help reduce inflammation and prevent further damage to the gums.

Root planing involves our dentist in Randolph, MA, smoothing out the rough surfaces of the roots of the teeth. It is done to help remove any remaining bacteria and debris and make it more difficult for bacteria to adhere to the roots of the teeth in the future. Smoothing the roots can also help the gums reattach to the teeth more effectively, promoting healing and reducing the depth of the pockets between the teeth and gums.

Laser Treatment

Laser treatment for periodontal disease, also known as laser periodontal therapy or laser-assisted new attachment procedure (LANAP), is a non-surgical alternative to traditional scaling and root planing.

Our dental professional uses a special laser to remove the bacteria and infected tissue from the gum pockets without harming healthy tissue during laser treatment. The laser treatment can also stimulate the growth of new tissue and bone, which can help to reattach the gums to the teeth.

Laser treatment is less invasive than traditional gum surgery and can often be performed with little or no local anesthesia. It may also result in less bleeding and discomfort compared to traditional gum surgery and may have a shorter recovery time.

However, laser treatment may not be appropriate for all cases of periodontal disease, and traditional scaling and root planing may still be the preferred treatment option in some cases. The decision to use laser treatment will depend on the severity and extent of the periodontal disease and other individual factors such as overall health and medical history.

What To Expect During The Non-Surgical Treatment Procedure?

Non-surgical gum disease treatment in Randolph, MA, is done under local anesthesia to ensure you are comfortable and pain-free throughout the procedure. A typical treatment session involves the following steps-

The first step is assessing the overall health of your gums and teeth. Our dentist will examine your mouth, take X-rays, and measure the depth of the gum pockets to determine the extent and severity of the gum disease.

Local anesthesia may numb the treated area and help you feel more comfortable during the procedure.

The next step is the scaling process, which involves removing the plaque and tartar buildup from the surface of the teeth and below the gum line. It is typically done using special dental instruments such as a scaler or ultrasonic device.

The root planing process begins once the scaling is complete. It involves smoothing out the rough surfaces of the roots of the teeth to help remove any remaining bacteria and debris.

Antibiotic therapy may help control the bacterial infection that causes gum disease. Antibiotics may be applied directly to the gums or taken orally.

Please book a dentist appointment at Randolph Dental Group to discuss your treatment options for periodontal disease.