
Your bone and gum tissue should fit snugly around your teeth like a turtleneck around your neck. When plaque and tartar buildup along the gum, this can lead to periodontal disease as “pockets” develop between the teeth and gums, and eventual tooth and bone loss if left untreated. Depending on the stage of the periodontal disease, Dr. Dara Lee will determine if your treatment will require one or a combination of non-surgical therapy, antibiotics, or periodontal surgery.
SURGICAL THERAPY
If the tissues around the teeth have been destroyed by disease and cannot be repaired with non-surgical therapy alone, periodontal surgery may be indicated to restore periodontal health.
POCKET REDUCTION THERAPY
Eliminating the bacteria under the gums is important to prevent the damage caused by the progression of periodontal disease. However, deep pockets that remain are difficult to clean and harbor bacteria and toxins, which increase the possibility of disease recurrence. Pocket reduction therapy is necessary to remove all the disease-causing bacteria and eliminate these remaining deep pockets to help maintain a healthy smile. By completely removing these irritations, this provides a clean surface for the gums to heal and reattach to the teeth, as gum tissue is better able to reattach to healthy bone. Reduced pockets, good oral hygiene and professional maintenance care can all increase your chances of keeping a healthy smile.