Non-surgical Periodontal Treatment

Treating Periodontally Involved Teeth - Non-Surgical Periodontal Treatment

When periodontal disease is detected early in its onset, conservative or non-surgical methods of care, combined with improved hygiene routines, can help restore periodontal health. While periodic, professional cleanings are sufficient to maintain periodontal health in patients who do not have gum disease, once gingivitis is present, deeper cleanings and possibly other non-surgical methods of care are recommended to treat the condition.

The American Academy of Periodontology emphasizes achieving periodontal health by means of the least invasive and cost-effective treatment approaches to care. Deeper cleanings, which include scaling and root planing, are non-surgical procedures that are considered the first line of defense against the progression of periodontal disease.

With scaling and root planing, any plaque and tartar (hardened dental plaque) that has accumulated below the gumline is carefully removed, and then the root surfaces of the teeth are smoothed. Since periodontal disease is an inflammatory response to plaque, tartar, and bacterial toxins, simply mechanically eliminating these agents can halt the progression of gum disease. In addition to removing plaque and tartar with a scaling and root planing procedure, antimicrobial medication placed under the gumline or systemic drugs can be used as adjuncts to care to further reduce the bacterial population.

If non-surgical approaches to managing periodontal disease do not achieve the desired outcome, surgery may be recommended to halt its progression and repair as much damage as possible.