“Non Surgical” Gum Therapy
An estimated 85% of the adult population exhibits various stages of
periodontal (gum) disease. Unfortunately most of these people do not know it as it does not hurt! It is a bacterial infection that destroys the attachment fibers and supporting bone that holds your teeth in your mouth. It is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults. Most recently there has been considerable research linking periodontal (gum) disease to the risk of heart disease, stroke, Alzheimer’s, pancreatic cancer, and preterm and low birth-weight babies.
With such serious consequences, we take our responsibility to thoroughly diagnose and treat gum disease at its earliest occurrence, very seriously.
There are several different therapies available today that allow us to aggressively treat periodontal (gum) disease non-surgically. Root Planing and Scaling is a therapy that removes all of the deep calcium or tarter deposits, unhealthy scar tissue (which is caused by chronic infection), and re-smoothes the root surfaces. Along with root Planing and Scaling, there is a relatively new antibiotic therapy that keeps fighting bacteria long after you leave the dental office. This therapy is called
Arestin Therapy. It is an antibiotic composed of micro-spheres that gradually release the medication for up to three weeks. Arestin is placed directly into the infected areas, or “pockets’ in you gums. It is applied right after the Root Planing and Scaling procedure. It disrupts the stubborn bacteria while your body is healing. The availability of these relatively new therapies has allowed many patients to avoid invasive and costly periodontal surgery.