At Gardens Dental Care in Palm Beach Gardens, FL our dentists can perform various periodontal treatment procedures to get your gum back to a healthy status.
Scaling & Root Planing
A scaling and root planing treatment is sometimes called a “deep cleaning,” and this is because it targets the plaque and bacteria located below the gum line. With scaling, an ultrasonic cleaner will be used to break up and remove all the plaque and tartar deposits located around your gums, and then root planing will be used to gently smooth out the rough surfaces of your teeth’s roots.
Soft Tissue Laser Treatment
As part of your periodontal treatment, we may also choose to use our soft tissue laser. This tool uses an extremely concentrated beam of light to instantly vaporize harmful bacteria along the gum line, and it can also painlessly remove infected tissue. This technology allows us to be precise, and it involves very little discomfort and bleeding. In fact, when we use our soft tissue laser, you may not need any local anesthetic, and your healing time is drastically reduced.
Infection Control
At Gardens Dental Care in Palm Beach Gardens, FL we can also apply a topical antibiotic to reach the small spaces where bacteria can hide. This periodontal treatment only takes a couple of minutes, but it continues working long after you leave our Palm Beach Gardens, FL dental office. We may need to make another application three to four months later, but this is an effective way to kill the bacteria in your mouth and give your gums a fresh start.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is gum disease?
Gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, is an extremely common bacterial infection of the gums and bone that support the teeth. It is usually caused by poor oral hygiene and, if not treated, can lead to tooth loss.
What are the signs that I may need periodontal treatment?
Common signs include bleeding gums when brushing, bright red or red-purple gums, gums that feel tender when touched, a shiny appearance to the gums, mouth sores, and loose teeth. If you notice any of these, our team can screen your gums.
What is scaling and root planing?
Scaling and root planing is a deep cleaning that targets plaque and bacteria below the gum line. An ultrasonic cleaner breaks up and removes deposits around the gums, and root planing smooths out rough tooth root surfaces.
How does soft tissue laser treatment work?
This treatment uses an extremely concentrated beam of light to vaporize harmful bacteria and remove infected tissue. Patients experience very little discomfort and bleeding, and healing time is drastically reduced.
Can gum disease cause tooth loss?
Yes. Gum disease is a bacterial infection of the gums and bone that support the teeth. If not addressed, it can ultimately lead to tooth loss, which is why early treatment matters.
How does infection control help treat gum disease?
We apply a topical antibiotic that reaches the spaces where bacteria hide. The application takes only minutes but continues working long after you leave, and a second application may be needed three to four months later. Call (561) 776-6177 to schedule a visit at our Palm Beach Gardens office.
