Periodontics

Periodontics refers to the areas around the teeth, including gums, bone and supporting ligaments. Periodontal disease can range from gingivitis and mild inflammation of the gums to advanced periodontitis with bone loss and mobility of the teeth that can lead to tooth loss.

The early stages of gum disease can often be reversed with proper brushing and flossing. Good oral health will help keep plaque from building up and causing inflammation that eats away at the gums and supporting jawbone.

A professional cleaning in your dental office is the only way to remove plaque that has built up and hardened into tartar. Your dentist or hygienist will clean or “scale” your teeth to remove the tartar above and below the gumline. If your condition is more severe, a root planing procedure may be performed. Root planing helps to smooth irregularities on the roots of the teeth making it more difficult for plaque to deposit there.

We often coordinate your periodontal care with a “gum specialist” or periodontist to ensure the health and longevity of your teeth.