Surgical and Non-Surgical Periodontal Treatments

Gum disease has two stages: gingivitis and periodontitis. The former, an early stage, can be treated with improved at-home dental hygiene, such as attentive brushing, flossing, and recommended mouth wash. If this is not successful, or gingivitis is not identified in time, conditions can develop into periodontitis, or severe gum disease.

There are both surgical and non-surgical treatments for periodontitis. Our dentist in San Fernando Valley will most often begin treatment with a non-invasive method, called a scaling and root planing. This involves using a sharp tool to remove plaque and tartar from just at and just below the gum line. This may be enough to reverse the effects of periodontal disease.

If it is not successful, there are several surgical methods that can be used. A pocket reduction is much like a scaling and root planing, but reaches the root surfaces to eliminate more harmful substances. Gum flap surgery takes this a step further by lifting up the gum tissue to access more of the root surfaces. The gum tissue is then stitched back into place.

If the gums or jaw bone has diminished due to the disease, our dentist will perform a graft to replace the missing tissue. This material can come from another area of the mouth or body, from another person, or simply synthetic material.