Periodontal Therapy in Encino, CA

Restoring Oral Health with Periodontal Therapy

Periodontal disease is a devastating oral health condition that affects not only your gums but the supporting structures of your teeth and your whole-body health as well. When it first begins, however, it does not always seem that serious. Most people are completely unaware there is anything wrong in the early stages of periodontal disease. As the condition progresses, however, your gums begin to recede, and your teeth become loose. You may even be faced with tooth loss. If your mouth has been affected by periodontal disease, Encino Cosmetic Dentistry can help with periodontal therapy.

What is Periodontal Therapy?

Periodontal therapy is a treatment designed to stop the progression of periodontal disease and restore your oral health. Periodontal therapy involves a procedure known as scaling and root planing. This is a deep cleaning of all surfaces of your teeth, both above as well as below the gumline. Treatment is performed to eliminate all buildup, which alleviates the irritation of your gums, allowing the tissue to heal.

Scaling is the process of cleaning the visible surfaces of your teeth, with special attention given to, and just below, the gumline. A tool called a scaler is used to scrape away even the most stubborn buildup from your teeth, including the most difficult to eliminate tartar deposits.

After scaling your teeth, we then move on to root planing. Root planing is the process of cleaning the surfaces of your teeth below your gumline. Small tools are inserted below the gums to remove plaque, bacteria, and other toxins from your tooth roots. By smoothing your tooth roots, it becomes more difficult for bacteria to attach to your teeth. When this process is complete, an antibacterial rinse is used to destroy any lingering bacteria. We then schedule you for a follow-up 6 to 8 weeks later.

Helping Your Mouth to Continue Healing

During your follow-up visit, we assess your gums to make sure that you are healing properly. If your gums have not shown significant progress, have not begun healing at all, or have gotten worse, we may then recommend periodontal maintenance. With periodontal maintenance, we can help your gums to heal properly. This treatment involves regularly scheduled appointments for examinations and cleanings. At each visit, we assess buildup on your teeth and look over your gums.

Periodontal pockets are measured, and x-rays are taken. These exams allow us to monitor your progress. After each exam, we clean your teeth of any buildup that may have accumulated since your last visit. The frequency of your appointments will vary based on the severity of your condition. Some patients require visits more frequently than others. Typically, periodontal maintenance visits range from as often as every two months to as long as every six months.

Preventing Periodontal Disease

Periodontal therapy is an effective treatment for stopping the progression of periodontal disease and restoring your oral health. However, it is not a permanent solution. Periodontal disease can develop again. It is important to take care of your mouth to prevent this from happening. Brush your teeth twice daily and floss at least once a day. You should have your teeth professionally cleaned and examined at least twice a year for optimal oral health maintenance.