Periodontal Treatment

It’s crucial to seek periodontal treatment if you have swollen, irritated, or bleeding gums. At Hardy Webster Dental in Humble, Texas, the team of general and cosmetic dentists offers periodontal treatment to people of all ages. They can determine the severity of your infection with advanced diagnostics and make treatment recommendations. Call the office to request periodontal treatment or book online today.

What is periodontal treatment?

Periodontal treatment is a dental subspecialty focused on gum disease. 

At Hardy Webster Dental, the team treats both types of gum disease:

Gingivitis

Gingivitis occurs when plaque –– a collection of bacteria, saliva, and food particles –– builds up on your teeth and underneath your gums. Plaque hardens and calcifies over time, turning into tartar. Tartar irritates your gums, causing them to become red and irritated.

Periodontitis

Periodontitis causes your gums to recede, forming pockets where bacteria collect. Without treatment, the infection worsens, causing permanent damage to your gums and bone.

Who can benefit from periodontal treatment?

Request periodontal treatment at Hardy Webster Dental if you have any of the following symptoms:

• Swollen or tender gums
• Red, puffy gums
• Gums that bleed when brushing or flossing
• Persistent bad breath
• Pus between the teeth
• Toothaches

As the infection spreads, you might also notice that your teeth are loose. 

How is gum disease diagnosed?

Your Hardy Webster Dental provider reviews your dental records, asks about your symptoms, and completes an oral exam. Then, they use an in-house microscope to evaluate the plaque in your mouth, looking for specific indicators of gum disease. If the team confirms you have gingivitis or periodontitis, they make treatment recommendations.

What does periodontal treatment involve?

At Hardy Webster Dental, the team offers several types of periodontal treatment, including:

Scaling and root planing

During scaling and root planing, your dentist uses handheld tools to remove plaque from the surfaces of your teeth and beneath your gums. Eliminating the buildup smooths out the base of your teeth, allowing your gums to reattach.

Antibiotic therapy

If you have a serious infection or receding gums, the team prescribes antibiotic therapy. Antibiotic therapy uses implantable antibiotic beads or prescription antibiotics to kill the harmful bacteria in your mouth. 

Flap surgery

Sometimes, periodontitis exposes the tooth roots. If you have loose or extremely sensitive teeth, the team might recommend flap surgery.

During flap surgery, your dentist removes a small piece of tissue from the roof of your mouth and stitches it over your exposed tooth roots. The flap fuses with the surrounding tissue, restoring your gumline to its near-original condition.

Call Hardy Webster Dental to see if you can benefit from periodontal treatment or use the online booking feature today.