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 Hearth Dental Practice, 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 inflammatory condition that affects the gums, the connective fibers that anchor teeth, and the supporting jawbone. It begins when bacterial plaque and hardened calculus accumulate along and below the gumline, triggering an immune response that can damage soft tissues and bone. Over time, this process can form pockets around teeth and cause gum recession and bone loss.

Because periodontal disease often progresses without significant pain, many people do not notice symptoms until the condition is more advanced. Regular dental exams and professional cleanings are essential to detect early changes that are not easily visible at home. Early identification makes treatment more effective and helps preserve long-term tooth stability.

Early signs of gum disease commonly include gums that are swollen, tender, darker in color, or that bleed during brushing and flossing. Other warnings can be persistent bad breath, an unpleasant taste in the mouth, or increased sensitivity near the gumline. These symptoms often appear without pain, which is why self-observation and routine dental visits are important.

As disease advances, patients may notice gum recession, teeth that feel loose, new gaps between teeth, or changes in the way their bite fits together. Any of these changes should prompt a dental evaluation so preventive or corrective steps can begin before further tissue or bone is lost. Timely action improves the chances of controlling disease and maintaining natural teeth.

Gingivitis is the earliest, reversible stage of gum disease characterized by redness, swelling, and bleeding of the gums without attachment loss. It results from bacterial buildup on teeth and along the gumline and typically responds well to improved oral hygiene and professional cleaning. With proper care, gingival tissues can return to health and progression to more destructive disease can be avoided.

Periodontitis occurs when inflammation extends deeper, leading to loss of the connective fibers and bone that support teeth and to increased pocket depth around roots. Treatment for periodontitis focuses on arresting tissue destruction, reducing pocket depth, and, when possible, restoring lost support. Early intervention and ongoing maintenance are key factors in managing periodontitis successfully.

Diagnosis begins with a comprehensive clinical exam that includes measuring pocket depths around each tooth, assessing gum recession, checking for bleeding on probing, and evaluating tooth mobility. Dental radiographs are used to assess bone levels and reveal patterns of bone loss that are not visible during a visual exam. Together these findings help classify disease as mild, moderate, or severe and guide treatment decisions.

Clinicians also consider systemic health factors and patient history because conditions such as diabetes or tobacco use can influence progression and healing. Based on the assessment, the dental team develops a personalized plan that may begin with non-surgical therapy and progress to surgical or regenerative procedures if needed. Regular re-evaluation after treatment ensures the plan is effective and supports long-term maintenance.

Non-surgical periodontal therapy typically begins with scaling and root planing, a deep cleaning that removes plaque and calculus from tooth surfaces and the roots below the gumline. This procedure smooths root surfaces to discourage bacterial reaccumulation and promotes healing of the gum tissues. In some cases, localized antimicrobial agents are placed directly into periodontal pockets to reduce bacterial load and support tissue recovery.

After initial therapy, short-term re-evaluation determines tissue response and whether additional care is necessary. Maintenance appointments, patient education on brushing and interdental cleaning, and improved home care habits are essential components of long-term success. When non-surgical measures control pocket depth and inflammation, they often prevent the need for more invasive treatments.

Surgery is considered when non-surgical therapy cannot sufficiently reduce pocket depth or when structural defects in bone and soft tissue require correction. Common surgical approaches include flap procedures to provide direct access for thorough debridement, osseous recontouring to reshape bone, and soft tissue grafts to address recession. The specific technique chosen depends on pocket depth, defect anatomy, and the patient’s overall health.

Modern periodontal surgery aims to optimize healing and minimize discomfort while creating a stable environment that patients can maintain at home. Postoperative care and a structured maintenance schedule are critical to protect surgical results. When combined with improved oral hygiene and regular professional follow-up, surgical therapy can significantly reduce the risk of future deterioration.

Regenerative procedures are designed to rebuild lost periodontal support in appropriate clinical situations by stimulating new bone and connective tissue formation. Techniques may include bone grafts, guided tissue regeneration using barrier membranes, and biologic agents that encourage tissue regeneration. These approaches aim to restore function and improve the long-term prognosis of teeth affected by periodontal defects.

Success with regenerative therapy depends on careful case selection, the extent and configuration of the defect, and the patient’s commitment to healing and maintenance. When indicated and executed correctly, regeneration can improve both functional support and the esthetic appearance of the smile. Close follow-up and effective home care are essential to preserve the gains achieved through these procedures.

Lasers are used selectively in periodontal treatment to reduce pocket depth, remove diseased tissue, and enhance decontamination with the goal of minimizing postoperative discomfort in some cases. They are an adjunct to, not a wholesale replacement for, established mechanical cleaning techniques. Clinicians evaluate whether laser-assisted therapy is appropriate based on pocket depth, tissue condition, and overall treatment goals.

Localized antimicrobials and other adjunctive agents can be placed into periodontal pockets to lower bacterial load and support healing after mechanical debridement. These therapies are often part of a staged, evidence-based approach that favors conservative measures first and reserves more invasive options as necessary. Combining careful clinical care with targeted adjuncts helps improve the predictability of outcomes for many patients.

Prevention centers on consistent, effective home care and routine professional maintenance. Patients should brush twice daily with proper technique, clean between teeth with floss or interdental brushes, and attend regular dental exams and cleanings so early signs of disease can be detected and managed. Tobacco cessation and control of systemic risk factors such as diabetes also play a major role in reducing periodontal risk.

Patient education and regular monitoring create a partnership between the dental team and the patient that supports long-term gum health. Customized maintenance intervals are set based on individual risk and response to therapy, and these visits focus on controlling bacterial levels and reinforcing home care. With diligence, many people can prevent disease progression and retain their natural teeth for life.

Periodontal inflammation is not confined to the mouth; research shows associations between gum disease and systemic conditions such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes control, and respiratory health. Chronic oral inflammation can contribute to a sustained inflammatory burden in the body, making periodontal management an important component of overall health care. Treating gum disease reduces a potential source of chronic infection and inflammation.

Because of these connections, the practice emphasizes early detection and consistent maintenance as part of a comprehensive health strategy. At the office of Angela Laithangbam, DDS Inc., we work with patients to manage periodontal disease in ways that support both oral and general well-being. Collaborative care and routine follow-up help mitigate risks and preserve long-term function.