Periodontal Treatments

Periodontal treatments, like scaling and root planing or antibiotic therapy, can prevent gum disease from spreading, preserving your teeth and smile. At The Dentists at North Cypress in Houston, Texas, Ginger Rome, DDS, Laura Santo Salvo, DDS, and the team offer periodontal treatments to teens and adults. Call the dental clinic today or schedule an appointment online to learn more.

What are periodontal treatments?

Periodontal treatments eliminate gum disease –– an infection of your gum tissue.

The Dentists at North Cypress use periodontal treatments to manage both types of gum disease:

Gingivitis

Gingivitis occurs when plaque –– a buildup of food particles, saliva, and bacteria –– collects on your teeth. As more plaque forms, it irritates your gums, causing redness, swelling, and bleeding. 

Periodontitis

Periodontitis occurs when gingivitis spreads. It causes your gums to recede from your teeth, forming large pockets. Without treatment, bacteria and food particles collect in these pockets, eating away at the bone that supports your teeth.

Who should consider periodontal treatments?

Request periodontal treatment at The Dentists at North Cypress if you have any of the following symptoms:

• Persistent bad breath
• Toothaches or pain while chewing
• Tooth sensitivity
• Loose teeth
• Teeth that appear longer than normal

You should also seek periodontal treatment if your gums bleed when brushing or flossing.

How is gum disease diagnosed?

The Dentists at North Cypress review your oral health history and ask about your lifestyle, including if you use tobacco or drink alcohol and how often you brush and floss your teeth. 

Next, your provider completes an oral exam. They check your gums for swelling, bleeding, and inflammation and measure the pockets around your teeth with a handheld tool called a periodontal probe. If your provider determines you have gum disease, they make personalized treatment recommendations.

Are there different types of periodontal treatments?

The Dentists at North Cypress offer several types of periodontal treatment, including:

Scaling and root planing

Scaling and root planing treats mild or moderate gum disease (gingivitis). 

During treatment, your dentist uses handheld tools to remove plaque and tartar from your teeth and beneath your gums. They smooth out your tooth roots afterward, allowing your gums to reattach to your teeth.

Antibiotic therapy

Antibiotic therapy uses implantable antibiotic beads or oral antibiotics to eliminate harmful bacteria inside your mouth. Killing the bacteria stops the infection from spreading, preserving healthy gum tissue.

Gum flap surgery

If you have receding gums and visible tooth roots, your dentist prescribes gum flap surgery. Gum flap surgery removes a piece of soft tissue from the roof of your mouth. Afterward, your provider stitches it over an area of receding tissue, restoring your gumline to its near-original condition.

Call The Dentists at North Cypress today or schedule an appointment online to learn more about periodontal treatments.