Non-Surgical Gum Therapy

periodontal gum disease Did You Know? - An estimated 75% of Americans have some form of Periodontal Disease.
American Dental Hygienists' Association

"Periodontal" refers to oral structures that surround and support teeth, including the gums, jaw bone, connective soft tissue, blood vessels and nerves.

Periodontal Disease is a progressive disease that begins when bacteria penetrate and grow beneath the gums. As the disease spreads, gum tissue and eventually bone become infected and are destroyed. If left untreated, periodontal disease can break down enough bone and gum tissue to cause teeth in the affected area to become loose and literally fall out.

Common signs of periodontal disease are bleeding and swollen gums, persistent bad breath and gum recession.
Periodontal disease is the most common cause of tooth loss in adults. www.perio.org
In most cases, periodontal disease does not hurt.

It's not just a cleaning...
Don't underestimate your regular dental cleaning appointment! This visit is important to maintain your oral health. As part of our preventive dental care services, Dr. Hooper and your Dental Hygienist will measure the space between your teeth and gums and review any necessary xrays to look for abnormal "pockets" or signs of bone loss - an indication of areas of gum disease in need of treatment.

Non-Surgical Periodontal Therapy

If periodontal disease is present, we may perform non-surgical gum therapy. During this procedure, Dr. Hooper will first make the area numb using a local anesthetic. He and your Dental Hygienist will then treat the infection beneath the gums by carefully cleaning the tooth root surfaces (root planing) and irrigating with anti-bacterial medications. Based on the condition of the soft tissue, Dr. Hooper may use the dental laser to remove hard deposits and diseased tissue to promote healthy tissue growth and healing.

After treating the periodontal infection, we will monitor your response to treatment and provide you with detailed oral hygiene instructions so you understand how to prevent a re-occurrence.
Dr. Hooper may refer patients with advanced periodontal disease to a Periodontist (gum specialist) for care.

Stay in Control of Your Oral Health

If you believe that you or a loved may have periodontal disease, contact us to schedule a complete dental examination and periodontal assessment. You'll be glad you did!