A critical component of a beautiful smile and lifelong oral health includes taking great care of not only your teeth, but also your gums. Periodontal treatments and therapies include the prevention, treatment, or management of gum disease, as well as procedures like scaling, root planing, crown lengthening, and frenectomies. We use the latest technology (such as laser treatment) for the highest quality care of periodontal dental treatment in Louisville. We operate an entirely latex-free facility, and sedation dentistry for adults is available for any procedure.
Gingivitis & Periodontal Disease Treatment
Gingivitis is a form of gum disease that can often be reversed through the practice of daily brushing and flossing, in conjunction with regular (twice yearly) dental cleanings. Common signs of gingivitis include gums that are red, puffy, and bleed easily. This form of gum disease does not include any loss of bone or tissue that holds teeth in place. Periodontal disease is the advanced form of gum disease that involves deterioration of the bone and gums, which is the support for our teeth. Some signs and symptoms of periodontal disease include red, puffy gums that bleed easily, bad breath, and radiographic bone loss. With bone and gum loss, there is potential of teeth becoming loose. Treatment for periodontal disease is scaling and root planing (see below).
Scaling, Root Planing, Arestin, & Periodontal Therapy
Scaling and root planing is a cleaning procedure that removes bacteria above and below the gum line. With this procedure, an ultrasonic tip that releases water is used to vibrate plaque and tartar out from under the gums. Hand instruments are also used to remove hardened bacteria from a tooth’s surface. This service often requires local anesthetic. Other therapies used in conjunction with scaling and root planing are laser therapies, locally applied antibiotics (such as Arestin®), and antimicrobial rinses. These therapies assist in decreasing the bacterial load. Learn more about therapies like Arestin® here.
Bone Grafts
Grafts are the replacement or enhancement of the bone near and around a tooth. When a tooth is lost, the surrounding bone collapses. Bone grafts replace, or enhance this bone to facilitate improved oral outcomes, as well as proper support for dental implants or prostheses. Bone grafts can consist of synthetic, bovine, or cadaver materials.
Alveoloplasty
This surgical procedure typically accompanies a tooth extraction and is used to smooth the jawbone in the incident of tooth loss.