family dentistry

Piero's Periodontal Therapy

personal treatment for gum disease

When a patient in Holland Michigan has periodontal disease, commonly known as gum disease, there is an inflammation of the gum line which will progress to affect the bone and other areas that support your teeth. There are three stages of gum disease: Gingivitis, periodontitis, and finally advanced periodontitis. To counteract the advancement of the disease, Dr. Piero may recommend scaling and root planing. This deep cleaning procedure will help restore the health of your gums.

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Causes of Periodontal Disease

plaque is the number one cause

Bacteria (plaque) is the primary cause of gum disease. If plaque is not removed it will harden and turn into tartar. Brushing or flossing will not be able to remove it and it will continue to form and build up. A dentist will need to conduct a dental cleaning to remove it through root planing and scaling. Dr. Piero will perform a procedure that is painless using new technology to eliminate periodontitis causing plaque and restore your teeth to health.

Signs and symptoms of gum disease

  • Gums that bleed easily when brushing or flossing
  • Gums that are receding or pulling away from the tooth
  • Loose Teeth
  • Persistent foul taste or bad breath
  • Pus surrounding the gums and teeth
  • Sharp pains when chewing
  • Sensitivity to hot or cold

Gum Disease Treatment

Scaling and root planing is a very common and effective treatment for gum disease before the severity of the disease becomes too far gone. This is a deep cleaning treatment that includes two main steps:

  • Scaling

    Scaling is the removal of plaque and tartar (dental calculus) from the surface of the tooth.

  • Root Planing

    This step involves cleaning the roots of the teeth, smoothing the root to remove bacterial toxins.

The goal is to halt the progress of gum disease by removing tartar, plaque, and bacteria. While most scaling and root planing treatments can be completed comfortably without anesthetic, our dentist is happy to offer anesthetic or other options to make you as comfortable as possible during your visit. Depending on your personal needs, the scaling and planing process may be split up into multiple appointments where our dentist addresses one section of the mouth at a time.

Scaling and root planing may be combined with other types of periodontal therapy, such as antibiotic treatment. For most patients, this process is enough to prevent further progression of the disease. To learn more about the benefits of scaling and root planing, or to explore other options for treatment, please do not hesitate to contact our office.