Gum Treatment

Gum treatment is the treatment of active gum and supporting bone infection. The treatment can slow or stop the progression of the disease. Since there are different stages of gum disease (from gingivitis to advanced periodontitis), there are different levels of treatment. Gum treatment consists of one or more of the following procedures, depending on the individual case:

Prophylaxis (Cleaning)
Your regularly scheduled check-up is often referred to as a "cleaning," but there is much more to it than that! The technical term is oral prophylaxis, which means "cleaning in the absence of disease." If you have bleeding or inflammation of the tissues, a Prophylaxis in and by itself will not eliminate your periodontal disease.
You will be given special instructions on brushing and flossing to help you keep clean the areas where we may find potential problem spots.

Laser Periodontal Treatment

If you have been told you need scalpel and suture gum surgery, there is a laser alternative you need to learn about.

If you are like 100 million other Americans, you have periodontal disease, the leading cause of tooth loss in adults. Periodontal disease begins as plaque, an opaque sticky film on the teeth that eventually hardens, forming tartar or calculus.
Calculus deposits harbor bacteria that infect the gums. The earliest stage of Gum Disease is called Gingivitis, characterized by red, swollen gums that bleed when you brush or floss your teeth. Many people experience bad breath and an unpleasant taste in their mouths as well. Unchecked, Gingivitis will progress to Periodontitis, a much more serious form of the disease where periodontal pockets develop; separating teeth from the gums and the supporting bone structure is destroyed. Without treatment, Periodontitis becomes severe and the pockets deepen as more and more bone is destroyed, resulting not only in tooth loss, but an increased risk for many life threatening conditions such as: Heart Disease, atherosclerosis, heart attack, stroke, bacterial endocarditis, lung infections, in people with chronic lung disease, a weakened immune system, higher risk of giving birth to premature, low-birth weight infants and even diabetes.

The New England Journal reports that, if you do not have periodontal treatment, you will actually increase your risk of heart disease, stroke, hardening of the arteries etc. and in all likelihood, live a shorter life.
The way to repair the damage is to rid the tissues of the infection and close up or eliminate the pockets. Until now, that meant painful surgery and sutures. But, today, we are one of only two offices in Phoenix to offer LASER PERIODONTAL THERAPY (LPT) or LANAP, a patient-friendly, almost painless, minimally-invasive procedure that many consider a great improvement over traditional gum surgery

Scaling and Root Planing

Scaling and Root Planing is a common non-surgical treatment for periodontal disease. By using special instruments, we remove bacteria and infection from the unhealthy deep pockets around the teeth below the gum line. This is often referred to as a "deep cleaning".

First the tooth is scaled to remove the plaque and tarter that has accumulated on the tooth.

Then the root is planed or smoothed. This eliminates any rough areas on the root that can easily trap plaque and bacteria.

A smooth clean root provides a healthy environment to allow the gums to heal naturally and reattach to the tooth. This will create a reduced pocket, therefore eliminating areas for bacteria to hide and cause further disease.

Scaling and root planing combined with a strict home care routine and more frequent periodontal cleanings and exams will increase your chances of keeping your natural smile.

Oral Medications

Peridex® is a prescription mouth rinse that reduces the redness, swelling and bleeding of gums caused by gingivitis. Dr. Hood may prescribe Peridex® for use between visits.

Strict Home Care Regimen

A home care routine specific to the patient's individual needs may be prepared to prevent the patient from relapsing.

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