Rejuvenating Periodontal Therapy in Crown Point

Periodontal gum disease effects more than 50% of US adults. Even more alarming, most of these people are completely unaware they are suffering from the disease. At Advanced Dental Concepts, we screen for periodontal disease as part of every six month checkup, and in most cases, we’re able to diagnose and treat it in the earliest stages, often called gingivitis. When gum disease progresses to the more advanced form, periodontitis, we may need to provide additional procedures to renew oral health. If you’re suffering from gum disease, contact our team to schedule an appointment today. We welcome patients from Crown Point, Cedar Lake, and other neighboring communities.

Scaling & Root Planing

Gum disease occurs when plaque and tartar buildup at the gum line irritates supportive gum and alveolar bone tissue leading to sores, infection, inflammation, and the destruction of healthy gum tissue. In the early stages of gum disease, we typically treat patients by providing more frequent professional teeth cleanings and recommendations for improved at home hygiene routines. Left untreated, gum disease progresses and will require more advanced treatments. We typically recommend scaling and root planing. Scaling is the systematic removal of plaque, tartar, and damaged tissue below the gum line. Root planing is the smoothing of tooth roots to prevent the future buildup of plaque and tartar at and below the gum line.

Soft Tissue Laser Therapy

Traditionally, periodontal therapies were completed using scalpels and sutures. These treatments required us to cut away damaged tissues and stitch the gums back into place. While this method was typically successful, some patients struggled to achieve a full recovery following this treatment. At Advanced Dental Concepts, we use the innovative soft tissue laser to remove damaged tissue while simultaneously cauterizing the treatment site. This reduces bleeding during the procedure and accelerates healing.

Antibiotic Therapy

In addition to scaling and root planing, we may recommend patients undergo topical antibiotic therapy. These treatments reduce the plaque-producing bacteria in the mouth. Fewer bacteria means a decreased amount of plaque and tartar at the gum line. This reduces patients’ risk for reinfection or worsening of oral health. The procedure itself is simple. An antibiotic powder is placed below the gum line where it will remain active for several weeks reducing plaque production.