Treating Advanced Periodontal Disease

If you have advanced periodontal disease in Denver, acting quickly to get treatment is essential to avoid tooth loss and systemic health problems that are associated with periodontitis. There are several treatments for periodontal disease that your dentist can recommend, depending on your specific needs. Here are a few of the methods your dentist may suggest to resolve your advanced periodontal disease. Reading about them can help you get a better understanding of what you need to do to protect your oral health.

Laser Gum Treatment

Laser gum treatment, such as LANAP, uses pulsed light to kill bacteria. A thin fiber is inserted into the space between your teeth and gums to deliver targeted laser treatment. Two sessions are usually necessary to treat the entire mouth. Laser treatment is painless and causes less blood loss than other procedures, and patients are able to return to their normal activities immediately after treatment. LANAP is now FDA-approved for tissue regeneration, which means treatment may also help to restore periodontal tissue lost to gum disease, reducing the need for surgery, biologics, growth factors, and the use of foreign materials.

Scaling and Root Planing

Scaling and root planing, or SRP, involves removing the bacteria from teeth surfaces and roots and then smoothing the surfaces to encourage the gums to reattach to the disease-free teeth. Patients usually require multiple appointments and may need a local anesthetic. SRP may be followed by pocket reduction or flap surgery, during which remaining bacteria is cleaned from the jawbone to promote better gum attachment. Your dentist will decide if pocket reduction is necessary based on how well your gums respond to SRP.