How is Periodontal Disease Treated?
Periodontal disease is a bacterial infection that penetrates into the gums and into the bone around your teeth, causing inflammation. Periodontal inflammation leads to bone loss and possibly tooth loss and may contribute to other medical conditions.
Identifying Causative Factors
In treating periodontal disease, our goal is to come up with a long-lasting, predictable treatment plan. This consists of identifying the factors that are causing your periodontal disease, including the specific type of bacteria, occlusal components (i.e. clenching, etc.), and other factors which might be accelerating bone loss.
Oftentimes, a sample can be taken to identify your specific type of bacteria and to determine an antibiotic that has been proven effective against it. This helps us achieve treatment with more predictable and long-lasting results.
Consultation & Treatment Planning
Dr. Carbonaro understands the importance of communication as a key factor in success. We listen to your specific concerns and will discuss alternatives that will accommodate your concerns.
After reviewing your personal situation, Dr. Carbonaro will review your individual causative factors and the possible treatment options that will meet your goals. It’s important to us that you understand all aspects of each treatment option. Dr. Carbonaro works together with you, the patient, as a team in treating your specific situation.
Periodontal disease is often then treated in three phases.
Non-Surgical (Initial) Therapy
The initial phase of therapy is designed to treat the causative factors involved. In other words, by controlling plaque, occlusal (bite) factors, etc., we minimize or eliminate inflammation and slow down (or stop) the progression of the disease.
The upper level of infection in the pockets around your teeth can be removed using specialized instruments. This procedure is called, “Scaling and Root Planing.” It is done under local anesthesia and is quite different from the routine dental cleaning or “deep cleaning” that is traditionally done in the general dentist’s office.
Dr. Carbonaro will then re-evaluate your case to see if further treatment is indicated.
| Scaling and Root Planing | |
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| Scaling: Dr. Carbonaro first removes the upper level of infected calculus. | Root Planing: Next, he smooths the root to reduce the ability of new bacteria to adhere. |
Surgical Therapy
If your infection has spread into the bone that supports your teeth and is below the level that can be reached in Scaling and Root Planing it often results in bone deformities that don’t allow you to remove the plaque with daily brushing and flossing. Periodontal surgery is often recommended to remove the lower level infection and repair damaged areas with procedures such as Bone Grafting, or Bone Re-Contouring.