Periodontal Therapy in Dallas, TX

Gum disease affects a large number of Americans every year and can lead to numerous oral health problems as well as complications with your overall health. Fortunately, we offer advanced periodontal therapies in our Dallas office to restore your oral health and protect you from tooth loss. We’ll screen your gums every time you come to see us, and if we spot the slightest sign of an infection, we’ll be ready to offer the targeted treatments you need.

Most Americans experience some form of periodontal disease, often without realizing it! Periodontal disease is chiefly responsible for adult tooth loss, bleeding gums, bad breath, and receding gums. It has also been linked to diabetes. Furthermore, those with periodontal disease are twice as likely to develop heart disease. The truth is, periodontal disease is easily prevented with proper hygiene, home care, and professional treatment. If diagnosed in its early stages, gum disease treatments are easier, less invasive, and more effective. Your visit to Dr. Hamlett includes a complete evaluation of your gums and supportive structures, and you will have access to advanced periodontal therapy to heal and restore your oral health.

The following treatment is included in your periodontal maintenance appointment:

• Evaluation of oral health to detect subtle signs of disease recurrence.
• Appropriate debridement of teeth and gums (professional cleaning and polishing).
• Antimicrobial therapy to destroy difficult-to-reach bacteria, as deemed necessary by the doctor.
• Evaluation of homecare regimes and aids.
• Oral health evaluation, including oral cancer screening, necessary dental films, and decay detection.
• Recommendations based on individual needs as a result of medical and dental history reviews.

Often, the first treatment option is an active periodontal treatment (root planing and scaling, otherwise known as a “deep cleaning.”). This extensive cleaning treatment is provided by the hygienist for patients who have hard and soft deposits that embed in the teeth, tissue, and bone supporting the teeth, as well as embedded bacteria and toxins buried below the gum line on the tooth. When hard and soft deposits attach to your tooth below the gum line, they pull the gum tissue away from the tooth, creating a deep pocket. The deposits must be removed so that the gingival tissue can heal and close the pocket. If not treated, the deposits and bacteria will begin to cause gum disease and deteriorate your bone, tissue, and teeth.

What is periodontal therapy?

The best treatment and care for periodontal disease is rigorous daily oral care. But if you have periodontal disease, treatment therapies can include professional deep cleaning (root planing and scaling), antimicrobial therapies, an oral health evaluation, and homecare regimens and aids.

Is nonsurgical periodontal treatment painful?

Depending on the level of periodontal disease, some patients may experience mild discomfort during a deep cleaning. Afterward, there may be soreness and some bleeding, which usually resolves quickly. An OTC pain reliever can be prescribed to also help with discomfort.

Can you reverse periodontal disease?

Periodontal disease is easily prevented and reversed with proper oral hygiene and regular professional care and cleanings. Periodontitis, however, can’t be reversed, only slowed down.

Can I keep my teeth with periodontal disease?

If your periodontal disease is more advanced and becomes periodontitis, there are surgical procedures, such as bone grafts, splinting, and joining of teeth, that can help you keep your natural teeth.

With the help of contemporary dental care approaches, Drs. Hamlett and La Mastra can help men and women affected by periodontal disease receive efficient solutions and reclaim the health of their smiles. If you experience one or more concerns associated with gum disease, please get in touch with our Dallas, TX practice right away. Our dental professionals are experienced in a number of solutions to address any stage of periodontal disease.