Gum disease treatment: non-surgical options

Many of our patients seek non-surgical treatment options to treat their gum disease. Since these treatments do not involve surgery, they are typically less expensive and require less downtime.

The first non-surgical treatment option we typically recommend is root planing and scaling. Root planing and scaling is a deep cleaning procedure that removes plaque, tartar, and bacteria from below the gum line. This treatment can be performed under local anesthesia and is often completed in one visit.

Another non-surgical treatment option is laser gum therapy. We use a dental laser to painlessly remove plaque and tartar deposits from the gum line. These treatments are painless, though some patients may experience minor discomfort. Laser gum therapy can also dramatically reduce the risk of infection.

Gum disease treatment: surgical options

Gum disease treatments range from non-invasive to surgical. Non-surgical options might include deep cleaning, scaling and root planing, or medications. Surgical treatments include flap surgery, tissue grafts, and grafts. Flap surgery is a procedure where tissue is folded back, and underlying tissue is removed. Gum disease treatment can also include gum grafting.

Regenerative treatment: Guided Tissue Regeneration (GTR)

Guided tissue regeneration (GTR) is a procedure that treats gum disease by regenerating lost gum tissue. It works by carefully removing diseased tissue from root surfaces while promoting the growth of healthy new gum tissue. GTR removes bacteria from the gums, prevents further gum loss, and creates an environment for healthy gum tissue to grow. GTR is a new, cutting-edge procedure for effectively treating gum disease and reversing some of the damage it has caused.

Bone regeneration by guided tissue regeneration

GBR is an advanced procedure that is designed to help regenerate bone and soft tissue in the jaw. The procedure is performed when there has been a significant amount of bone or gum tissue loss. Regeneration of bone and tissue can help support a healthy smile.

Bone regeneration occurs through a process called guided bone regeneration. This procedure involves placing a membrane over the damaged bone. The membrane encourages the growth of new bone and tissue. Over time, the membrane is reabsorbed, and the bone and tissue have regenerated.