Boca Raton Periodontal Therapy for Gum Disease
Scaling & Root Planing
When we are able to diagnose gum disease in the gingivitis phase, more frequent professional teeth cleanings and advanced at-home hygiene may be adequate to renew oral health. However, as gum disease becomes more severe, we may need to proceed to more advanced treatments. For most patients, that means a combination of scaling and root planing. Scaling is a nonsurgical debridement process. Debridement is the removal of plaque, tartar, and damaged tissue that has built up at and below the gum line. We use a variety of tools including dental lasers to complete this process and decontaminate the tissues around your teeth. Root planing is a smoothing process. Teeth are porous and rough, and this creates dips and pockets where bacteria can accumulate producing large amounts of plaque. By smoothing the roots, we reduce the patient’s risk for continued struggles with gum disease. By combining these two treatments, patients are given a fresh start to regain their optimal level of oral health.
Soft-Tissue Laser
Soft-tissue lasers allow us to complete scaling and root planing treatments more quickly and comfortably for our patients. Traditionally, scalpels, probes, and other metal tools were used to remove the plaque and tartar below the gum line and smooth the surfaces of teeth. The already sensitive soft tissue would often bleed heavily or develop sores that took days or weeks to heal following treatment. Our Luxar laser significantly reduces bleeding and discomfort during periodontal therapy, decreases the time it takes for patients to heal, and improves patients’ chances for completely renewing their oral health following a struggle with gum disease.
Antibiotic Therapy
Bacteria in the mouth are a healthy, natural part of the body’s oral biology. However, bacteria are living organisms, and like all living things, bacteria absorb nutrients and excrete a waste byproduct. The byproduct produced by oral bacteria is the sticky, acidic biofilm we refer to as plaque. Irritation from plaque buildup is typically the origin of gum disease, so by reducing the amount of oral bacteria, patients have a better chance of making a complete recovery following gum disease. We often use the Arestin topical antibiotic directly in the area we’re treating to reduce the amount of bacteria.