Periodontal Treatment

Most people don’t realize that periodontal disease is the leading cause of tooth loss among adults. According to statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one out of every two adults over the age of 30 in the United States has periodontal disease.

You may be surprised to learn that the human mouth is home to a wide variety of microbes. The fact is that over 700 different strains of bacteria have been detected in the oral cavity. Although some of these bacteria are beneficial, others are harmful to oral health. Without proper oral hygiene and routine dental care, these harmful bacteria can cause tooth decay and gum disease, compromising both your oral health and overall wellbeing.

In addition to inadequate oral hygiene and infrequent professional care, other factors, including smoking, genetic tendencies, and unchecked diabetes, can contribute to the escalation of periodontal disease.

Your gums and teeth have an interdependent relationship, which means healthy teeth depend on the support of healthy gums. Also, taking care of your smile does more than keep your teeth and gums in optimal condition; good oral health also supports systemic health. In addition to being the leading cause of tooth loss in adults, researchers are finding more and more links between periodontal disease and a number of medical problems, including heart disease, stroke, diabetes, respiratory problems, and adverse pregnancy outcomes such as pre-term and low birth-weight babies.

If you notice that your gums are bleeding with the slightest pressure while brushing or flossing, it’s a sign of gingivitis. Although gingivitis is the earliest stage of gum disease, it can easily be reversed with deeper cleanings as well as an improved regimen of oral hygiene at home.

In the absence of professional treatment and better home care, gingivitis progresses to the next stage, which is known as periodontitis. In this stage, the connective tissue and bone that hold the teeth in place begin to break down with an increase in pocketing between the teeth and bone, gum recession, and bone loss. Without proper treatment by your dentist, periodontitis will progress from a mild to moderate loss of supporting tissue to the destruction of the bone around the teeth.

Although gingivitis can often be reversed with improved oral hygiene and professional cleanings, as periodontal disease advances, more extensive procedures are required to halt its progression. Based on a complete assessment of your periodontal health and a review of possible contributing factors, our office will recommend the best options in care. Treatment for periodontitis may include a series of deeper cleanings known as root planing and scaling, surgical procedures to reduce pocket depth, bone or tissue grafts, laser procedures, or antimicrobial medications.

The cost of care depends on the type of procedures required to restore your periodontal health. If you have dental insurance, plans often cover treatment to prevent gum disease as well as many procedures to treat the various stages of gum disease. Our goal is to help patients restore and maintain good oral health. We do all we can to help you begin care without additional stress or delay. Our business office works with you to maximize your benefits and provide easier, more convenient payment options.

By seeing our office regularly for care and doing your best to eat a healthy diet and practice good oral hygiene, you can keep your smile in tip-top shape as well as protect your overall wellbeing.

At the office of Cosmetic Micro Dentistry, we provide a comprehensive range of services to address all your oral healthcare needs. You can rest assured that your smile is in the best of hands at our office. Our skilled and experienced team maintains a position at the forefront of advances in care and remains dedicated to providing the highest quality of skilled and compassionate treatment.

Periodontal disease is an infection and inflammation of the tissues that surround and support the teeth, including the gums, periodontal ligament and jawbone. It ranges from reversible gingivitis to destructive forms of periodontitis that damage connective tissue and bone. Left untreated, this condition can lead to loose teeth and eventual tooth loss.

Bacterial plaque and hardened tartar are the primary triggers, but the body's inflammatory response determines the degree of tissue destruction. Because early stages often produce little or no pain, many patients are unaware they have a problem until a professional exam reveals signs of disease. Regular preventive care and early intervention are therefore critical to preserving oral health.

Common signs of gum disease include red, swollen or tender gums, bleeding during brushing or flossing, and persistent bad breath. Gum recession, increased tooth sensitivity and pockets forming between teeth and gums are also typical indicators. Some patients notice loose teeth, changes in bite or pus coming from the gums in more advanced cases. Recognizing these symptoms early improves the chances of successful treatment.

Because symptoms can be subtle, routine dental exams and periodontal evaluations are essential to detect disease before irreversible damage occurs. Your dentist will chart pocket depths, assess gum attachment and use imaging when necessary to understand the extent of involvement. Timely professional care combined with daily home hygiene reduces progression and complications.

Periodontal disease starts when dental plaque—a sticky film of bacteria—accumulates at the gumline and triggers an inflammatory response. Over time, plaque can harden into tartar, which makes bacterial control more difficult and fuels deeper infection. Individual host factors determine how aggressively the disease progresses, which is why identical levels of plaque can cause different outcomes in different people.

Several risk factors increase the likelihood of developing periodontitis, including tobacco use, uncontrolled diabetes, certain medications and genetic susceptibility. Other contributors include poor oral hygiene, hormonal changes, stress and conditions that lower immune function. Addressing modifiable risks is an important part of any comprehensive periodontal plan.

Diagnosis begins with a thorough clinical exam that includes periodontal probing to measure pocket depths, checking for gum recession, mobility and bleeding on probing. A complete periodontal chart documents attachment levels, furcations and other anatomic concerns that guide treatment decisions. At Cosmetic Micro Dentistry we combine these clinical findings with high-resolution imaging to form an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan.

Radiographs or 3D CBCT imaging help reveal underlying bone loss, root anatomy and other features not visible during a routine exam. When appropriate, microbiological testing and response to initial therapy are used to refine care and select adjunctive therapies. Together, these diagnostic tools allow clinicians to tailor treatment to the specific pattern and severity of disease.

Non-surgical therapy is the first line of treatment for many patients and focuses on removing the bacterial biofilm and tartar that drive inflammation. This typically includes scaling and root planing, a deep cleaning that eliminates deposits below the gumline and smooths root surfaces to promote reattachment. Adjunctive measures such as locally delivered antimicrobials (for example, minocycline microspheres) or systemic medications may be used to reduce bacterial load when indicated.

Improved home care—effective brushing, interdental cleaning and consistent professional maintenance—supports long-term healing after non-surgical therapy. The clinical response is monitored over successive visits, and additional conservative measures are applied when pockets persist. If non-surgical approaches do not sufficiently reduce pocket depths or stop progression, surgical options are considered.

Periodontal surgery is recommended when deeper pockets, persistent infection or significant bone loss cannot be controlled with non-surgical care. Common procedures include flap surgery for pocket reduction, osseous recontouring and the placement of bone or soft tissue grafts to restore lost support. These interventions aim to reduce inflamed pocketing, reestablish healthy architecture and create conditions that are easier to maintain with daily hygiene.

Regenerative techniques such as guided tissue regeneration and grafting can rebuild bone and connective tissue in appropriate cases, improving both function and esthetics. Surgical care is typically followed by careful monitoring and a tailored maintenance schedule to protect the treatment outcome. Selecting the right procedure depends on the specific anatomy, disease severity and overall treatment goals.

Dental lasers are used as an adjunct in certain periodontal procedures to remove diseased tissue, decontaminate pocket surfaces and promote coagulation. When applied correctly, laser therapy can reduce bacterial counts, minimize bleeding and sometimes shorten healing time compared with traditional techniques. Lasers are not a universal cure, but they expand the range of minimally invasive options available to clinicians.

Decisions about laser use are based on the type and extent of disease, the clinician's training and the best evidence for the specific procedure. Patients should discuss potential benefits and limitations with their provider to understand whether laser-assisted care is appropriate for their case. When lasers are indicated, they are incorporated into a comprehensive plan that includes mechanical cleaning and ongoing maintenance.

Periodontal maintenance is the ongoing care phase that follows active treatment and is essential to prevent recurrence of disease. Maintenance visits commonly occur every three months but are individualized based on disease severity, the patient's response to therapy and risk factors. These visits include professional cleaning targeted at subgingival deposits, periodontal assessment and reinforcement of home care.

Regular maintenance allows clinicians to detect subtle changes early, address re-infection promptly and preserve the improvements achieved through treatment. Skipping maintenance increases the risk that pockets will re-form and destructive disease will resume. A partnership between the patient and the dental team is the most reliable way to maintain periodontal health long term.

Research shows associations between periodontal disease and systemic conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease and respiratory illnesses, although causal relationships are complex and not fully understood. Chronic oral inflammation can contribute to overall inflammatory burden, which may influence other systems in the body. Managing periodontal disease is therefore an important part of comprehensive health care, especially for patients with systemic risk factors.

Patients should inform their dental team about medical conditions, medications and recent hospitalizations so care can be coordinated safely and effectively. Working with medical providers to control conditions like diabetes often improves periodontal treatment outcomes. Open communication helps clinicians design plans that protect both oral and general health.

Our practice blends advanced diagnostics, minimally invasive techniques and patient-centered care to treat periodontal disease effectively and compassionately. We use technologies such as 3D CBCT imaging, microsurgical magnification and laser-assisted options to precisely evaluate and manage periodontal problems. These tools support accurate diagnosis and targeted therapy while focusing on patient comfort and long-term stability.

At the office of Cosmetic Micro Dentistry, individualized treatment plans emphasize prevention, clear communication and evidence-based care tailored to each patient's needs. When complex surgical or implant-related reconstruction is required, we coordinate care and use guided planning to improve predictability. Patients are encouraged to ask questions and take an active role in maintenance to ensure durable results.