Non-Surgical Procedures

Periodontal therapy consists of non-surgical and surgical procedures. Both procedures are aimed at stopping the loss of tooth-supporting bone and gum and creating a stable environment. Although there is no “cure” for periodontal disease, there are ways to control the progression and dramatically minimize the risk of tooth loss.

Periodontal Maintenance Therapy

Periodontal maintenance therapy procedure is not the same treatment as a regular cleaning even though a hygienist may perform both services after a patient has been treated for periodontal disease, either with root planning or surgery. A standard cleaning addresses scaling and polishing above the gumline. A person who has periodontal disease requires below gumline maintenance. Typically an interval of three months between appointments is effective in maintaining. As in many other chronic conditions, successful long-term control of the disease and prevention of tooth loss depends on continual, and possibly lifetime maintenance.

What to Expect
It only takes twenty four hours for plaque that is not removed from your teeth to turn into calculus (tartar)! Daily home cleaning helps control plaque and tartar formation, but those hard to reach areas will always need special attention.

Follow-Ups
Once your periodontal treatment has been completed, your dentist and dental hygienist will recommend that you have regular maintenance cleanings (periodontal cleanings), usually four times a year. At these cleaning appointments, the pocket depths will be carefully checked to to monitor the status of your periodontal condition. Plaque and calculus that is difficult for you to remove on a daily basis will be removed from above and below the gum line. Periodontal disease is a condition that requires constant vigilance to keep it under control. Adequate home care procedures and the maintenance visits are crucial in this regard. We are committed to helping you do what is needed to keep your teeth! Good oral hygiene practices and periodontal cleanings are essential in maintaining dental health and keeping periodontal disease under control!

Perioscopy

Churney Periodontal is the first periodontal office on the west coast of Florida to have and to utilize the power of the dental endoscope. A small camera is used between the tooth and gum to visualize calculus and other problems.

The Benefits:

Provides a comfortable, non-surgical, periodontal treatment option
Pinpoints unseen deposits under the gum tissue that cause bleeding and inflammation
Enables detection of periodontal conditions and other dental problems in earlier, more manageable states
Enhances effectiveness of regular periodontal maintenance programs
Raises the standard of oral health care by using a new level of visualization to help fight periodontal disease and associated tooth loss.

The Power of Perioscopy:

Advanced microscopic video technology enhanced by 20-40x magnification
Enables us to diagnosis and treat subgingivally (below the gum line) without surgery
Permits non-surgical direct vision of the tooth root to enhance periodontal treatment and reduce the need for surgery

Scaling & Root Planing

Scaling & Root planing is one of the most effective ways to treat gum disease before it becomes severe.

Root planing and scaling cleans between the gums and the teeth down to the roots. Your dentist may need to use a local anesthetic to numb your gums and the roots of your teeth.

Some dentists and dental hygienists will use an ultrasonic tool for the planing and scaling. This tool is not as uncomfortable as a standard scraping tool, but not all cleanings require this type of tool.

What To Expect After Treatment

If anesthesia is used, your lips and gums may remain numb for a few hours. Planing and scaling causes little or no discomfort.

Why It Is Done

Root planing and scaling is done when gums have either started to pull away from the teeth or the roots of the teeth have hard mineral deposits (tartar) on them.

How Well It Works

If you maintain good dental care after the procedure, the progression of gum disease should stop. And your gums will heal and become firm and pink again.

What To Think About

Root planing and scaling is a simple procedure that can work very well to stop gum disease.
Brush and floss regularly afterward. Without proper dental care, your gum disease may progress.
To promote healing, stop all use of tobacco. Smoking or using spit tobacco reduces your ability to fight infection of your gums and delays healing.
(Source: WebMD.com)