At New Rochelle Dental Arts in New Rochelle, NY our dentists can perform various periodontal treatment procedures to get your gum back to a healthy status.
Gum Disease Treatment
Swollen, tender or bleeding gums are often the first signs of early-stage gum disease, called gingivitis. The good news is that gingivitis is usually treatable, and its symptoms can often be reversed. With a combination of professional teeth cleaning or deep cleaning at New Rochelle Dental Arts and consistent daily dental care at home, you can restore healthy gums and protect your teeth for years to come.
Advanced-Stage Gum Disease Treatment
If gum disease progresses, you may notice receding gums, loose teeth or a change in how your teeth fit together when you bite. Advanced gum disease often needs more involved treatment, such as gum flap surgery. In this procedure, the gum is gently lifted back so the root surfaces can be cleaned, then stitched back into place so it can reattach to the tooth and help prevent further infection. Where gum or bone has been lost, a gum tissue or bone graft can encourage healthy regrowth. Our dentists will walk you through every option before treatment begins.
If gum disease has already led to tooth loss, dental implants or dentures can replace missing teeth once your gums are healthy. Our guide to dental implants vs. dentures can help you compare the two. Whatever your treatment, long-term success depends on your commitment to good oral hygiene.
Scaling & Root Planing
Scaling and root planing is often called a "deep cleaning" because it targets the plaque and bacteria below the gum line. During scaling, an ultrasonic scaler breaks up and removes plaque and tartar deposits around your teeth. Root planing then smooths the rough surfaces of the roots, helping your gums heal and reattach.
Soft Tissue Laser Treatment
As part of your periodontal treatment, we may use our soft tissue laser. It uses a concentrated beam of light to remove bacteria and infected tissue along the gum line with precision. Laser treatment typically involves less discomfort and bleeding than traditional methods, many patients need little or no local anesthetic, and healing is often faster. Once your gums are healthy, if you'd also like a more even gum line, ask about gum recontouring.
Infection Control
We can also apply a topical antibiotic directly into the small pockets around your teeth where bacteria hide. The application takes only a few minutes and keeps working long after you leave our New Rochelle office. A follow-up application may be needed three to four months later. It's an effective way to reduce harmful bacteria and give your gums a fresh start.
