Overview Advanced periodontal disease can wreak Periodontal havoc on the health and appearance of your smile by eroding gum and bone tissue. This Disease Treatment eventually leads to tooth loss. However, in most cases, periodontal disease is reversible Periodontists: Specialists Restoring the Health under the care of a periodontist. in Periodontal Disease Care of Your Smile Depending on the severity of the disease, your periodontist will develop a treatment A periodontist is a dentist who specializes plan that will remove the infection, restore in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment function (such as the ability to chew of periodontal disease, and in the placement comfortably), and enhance the look of your of dental implants. smile. In some cases, a combination of common procedures will achieve the desired With three additional years of training after results for health, function, and esthetics. dental school, periodontists have mastered the surgical skills necessary to provide predictable and successful periodontal Sampledisease management.

American Academy of Periodontology perio.org

© 2017 American Academy of Periodontology Surgical Treatments • Root Coverage Procedures R oot coverage procedures are often used to In cases of severe periodontal disease (also known treat gums that have receded to the point as periodontitis), scaling and root planing alone that the roots of a tooth are exposed. Your may not be a sufficient for eliminating infection periodontist will take gum tissue from the and restoring health. The following procedures are roof of your mouth (known as the palate) among common surgical therapies for periodontitis. to cover roots, develop gum tissue where needed, or to make dental implants look • Pocket Depth Reduction more natural. This treatment protects Gums should fit snugly around the teeth. exposed roots from decay and, in some Advanced periodontal disease can destroy this cases, it may reduce tooth sensitivity. tissue, forming pockets in the spaces between the gums and teeth. Bacteria can accumulate in • Dental Implants these pockets and cause further damage. During If periodontal disease has led to tooth loss or Non-Surgical Treatment: a pocket depth reduction, your periodontist will damage, your periodontist can place a dental clear the pockets of infection and retighten the implant. A dental implant is an artificial tooth Scaling and Root Planing gum tissue to eliminate or reduce pockets. root that is inserted into your jaw to hold a replacement tooth or bridge. They are a long- Scaling and root planing, a deep cleaning • Bone Grafting term solution that look, feel, and function just below the gum line, is often a first step to If periodontal disease has destroyed the bone like natural teeth. treating periodontal disease. Your periodontist supporting your teeth, a regenerative procedure or hygienist will remove plaque and tartar can reverse some of the damage. After removing (a buildup of disease-causing bacteria) from the disease-causing bacteria, your periodontist Regular Maintenance areas that brushing and flossing cannot reach, may use membranes, bone grafts, or tissue- including from the roots of the teeth. In cases After undergoing any kind of periodontal treatment, stimulating proteins to encourage your body’s your periodontist will likely advise you on ways to of mild periodontal disease (also known as natural ability to regenerate healthy bone tissue. gingivitis), undergoing a scalingSample and root planing sustain the health of your gums. These may include can be enough to clear any developing infection follow-up visits, a daily hygiene routine of brushing and to prevent further disease advancement. and cleaning between the teeth, as well as the use of antibiotics or antimicrobials.

Advanced Normal Gingivitis Periodontitis Periodontitis Deep Pocket Pocket Plaque Bone Advanced Inflammation Destruction Bone Loss