Gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss in American adults over 35. Fortunately, it’s preventable with regular professional cleanings and proper home care. Our team is well-equipped to treat gum disease thoroughly and comfortably, even in advanced cases. We treat mild, moderate and severe gum disease using a combination of state-of-the-art techniques, including gentle ultrasonic scaling for deep cleaning and minimally invasive laser therapy to remove diseased tissue and disinfect the gums. Our doctors emphasize patient education in their approach to treating gum disease. You will receive a detailed explanation of your specific circumstances, and during every appointment, time will be set aside to go over tailor-made home oral care instructions with you.
Gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, is a chronic inflammatory condition that affects the gums and supporting structures of the teeth. It begins with gingivitis, where plaque—a sticky film of bacteria—builds up along the gumline, causing redness, swelling, and bleeding gums, especially during brushing or flossing. If left untreated, gingivitis can progress to periodontitis, a more severe form of gum disease that damages the tissues and bone that support the teeth.
In periodontitis, the gums pull away from the teeth, forming pockets that become infected. Over time, this infection can lead to the destruction of bone and connective tissue, ultimately causing tooth loosening or loss. Risk factors include poor oral hygiene, smoking, diabetes, genetics, stress, and certain medications.
Common signs of gum disease include persistent bad breath, receding gums, sensitive or loose teeth, and pain while chewing. Early-stage gum disease is often painless, making regular dental checkups essential for early detection and prevention.
Treatment ranges from professional cleanings and improved oral hygiene practices to more advanced procedures like scaling and root planing, or even surgery in severe cases. With proper care and regular dental visits, gum disease can be managed or even reversed in its early stages.
Scaling a root planing is a form of gum disease treatment that we offer here at our upper east side practice for our patients. It is non-surgical and is a manual deep cleaning using handheld dental instruments. Sometimes an ultrasonic device is used.
Scaling a root planing is a form of gum disease treatment that we offer here at our upper east side practice for our patients. It is non-surgical and is a manual deep cleaning using handheld dental instruments. Sometimes an ultrasonic device is used.
Jennifer Choe, DDS is our in-house periodontist, a dental expert who specializes in treating diseases of the gums and other tissues that support and surround the teeth. He takes care of our patients who are in need of advanced gum disease treatment. Jennifer Choe, DDS has over 23 years of experience in periodontics. She is a highly trained specialist who has given many lectures and presentations to other dental professionals on different aspects of gum disease treatment. She takes the time to clearly explain periodontal disease and treatments. She takes an educational approach to gum disease therapy, so patients can do their part in eradicating the condition and maintaining their oral health in between visits.
Scaling a root planing is a form of gum disease treatment that we offer here at our upper east side practice for our patients. It is non-surgical and is a manual deep cleaning using handheld dental instruments. Sometimes an ultrasonic device is used. Scaling and root planing is a highly effective non-surgical treatment for managing early to moderate gum disease. It removes plaque and tartar from below the gumline and smooths the tooth roots, helping gums reattach to teeth and reducing pocket depth. Most patients experience reduced inflammation, bleeding, and improved gum health within weeks. When combined with good oral hygiene and regular dental checkups, scaling and root planing can halt the progression of periodontitis and prevent tooth loss. However, its long-term effectiveness depends on individual factors like smoking, diabetes, and commitment to follow-up care and maintenance cleanings.
Our doctors will thoroughly explain every step of your procedure before treatment. Depending on your individual circumstances, the doctors may employ one or more of the following methods to treat your gum disease, in addition to providing thorough education and a customized home care plan.
Moderate gum disease is characterized by pocket depths of four to five millimeters and some (but very little) bone loss. It is treated with a deep cleaning, a process of cleaning (scaling) below the gum and smoothing the surface of the tooth root (planing) to prevent bacteria from sticking to those surfaces and to allow the gums to reattach. An antimicrobial oral rinse will be used to further eliminate any bacteria from the gums. The doctor will also use a soft-tissue laser to remove infected gum tissue.
Dr. Jennifer Choe will asses the condition of your gums and go over treatment options with you in detail. To evaluate the condition of your gum disease, we will gently probe the gum pockets (the space between your teeth and gums) to accurately measure and chart the depth of each pocket.
An ultrasonic scaler produces sound vibrations to gently remove plaque and tartar. The sound vibrations destroy the cell membranes of the gum-disease-causing bacteria, thereby killing them, and the sound waves also assist in breaking up hard tartar deposits. Additionally, ultrasonic scalers release a flow of water that flushes away debris and bacteria, promoting faster healing. They are more comfortable for patients than traditional hand instruments.
The doctors may use ARESTIN® therapy to treat a localized infection. This gel contains tiny microspheres filled with a powerful, timed-release antibiotic. It is used to help eliminate any localized bacteria that may remain after a scaling and planing procedure.
In some cases, the doctors may perform DNA testing to determine the best systemic (whole-body) antibiotic treatment to combat your periodontal disease. You will take a spit test and the lab will return the results to our office within 24 to 48 hours. The doctor will prescribe the appropriate antibiotic based on the lab’s bacteria profile.
For more advanced cases, a surgical treatment known as flap surgery may be necessary to help the surrounding tissues reattach to the teeth. The procedure involves creating flaps to pull back the gum tissues so the doctor can remove diseased tissue and fully clean and smooth the root surfaces. After cleaning out the infection, the doctor will suture the gum tissues so they are tighter around the teeth than before, making it difficult for bacteria to reattach themselves in the gum pockets.
One of the effects of periodontal disease is gum recession. Dr. Jennifer Choe may perform gum grafting to strengthen and augment thin or receded gums to help protect the underlying bone and prevent further gum recession. She may also use gum grafts to cover already exposed tooth roots and protect them from further exposure. Grafting can also be done to improve the cosmetic appearance of a patient’s smile. During gum grafting, the doctor removes a small amount of tissue from other parts of the patient’s mouth and attaches it to the affected gumline. Donor tissue may also be used.
In cases where periodontitis has led to bone defects around the root of the tooth, Dr. Choe may perform bone grafting to regenerate new bone and help prevent tooth loss. She places donated bone tissue in the area of missing bone and protects it by covering it with a collagen membrane which will eventually dissolve and be absorbed by the body.
Gum disease should be treated right away before the condition worsens and causes irreversible damage. Anxiety shouldn’t stand in the way of getting the dental care you need. We offer nitrous oxide to patients who are anxious about treatment, especially in the case of longer, more complex procedures. We are happy yo offer nitrous oxide for nervous patients.
