Periodontal Care in Northampton

What Is periodontal care?

Periodontal care is the process of preventing, treating, and managing periodontal disease. The early warning signs of gum disease include red, swollen, tender, and receding gums. However, because these symptoms are mild they can be easily overlooked until it’s too late.

If you catch gum disease early, we can help you reverse it through a routine cleaning and by practicing good oral hygiene. Gingivitis, the earliest stage of gum disease, will develop into periodontitis if it is left untreated. At this stage, irreversible destruction of bone and soft tissues occurs.

This will require a deep cleaning at a minimum and surgical intervention in the more advanced stages of periodontitis. Contact us at Refresh Valley Dental to schedule a consultation.

periodontal care northampton

Did you know…

A deep cleaning takes 1.5 to 2 hours.

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What to expect at your periodontal appointment

Consultation

Dr. Aurora will perform an oral exam, assess your symptoms, and take x-rays to rule out other potential oral health problems.

Diagnosis

To confirm that you have gum disease, we will measure your gum pockets. If pockets are deeper than 3 mm, this suggests gum disease. Depths greater than 4 mm indicate periodontitis.

Scaling

A scaler is used to scrape plaque and tartar from below the gum line.

Root Planning

The tooth’s roots are smoothed out to prevent bacteria from sticking to the tooth roots and to promote gum reattachment.

Maintenance

Ongoing periodontal cleanings are recommended for patients who have a history of gum disease, especially if they had periodontitis. We will routinely check that the infection is completely gone and perform regular deep cleanings every 3 to 4 months for those who have had periodontitis before.

Periodontal Services

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Deep cleaning

A deep cleaning is a more intense version of a dental cleaning. It involves two main practices – scaling and root planing. While scaling is performed in regular cleanings, they are only done above the gumline to scrape away plaque buildup.

However, in advanced gum disease, gum pockets cause plaque and tartar to accumulate deep beneath the gums so we must scale below the gum line and around the tooth’s roots. Once all of the bacteria has been thoroughly removed, we will smooth out your tooth’s roots. This is so we can reattach the receded gums.

Did you know…

A deep cleaning can be performed in a single long appointment or split in half between two appointments.

Interested in Periodontal Services?

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Have questions about preventive dentistry? Find answers here.

What Is Gum Disease?

Gum disease is a serious infection of the gums that is caused by plaque and tartar buildup that causes gum pockets to form and trap bacteria. As inflammation increases, the gum pockets deepen and the cycle continues.

The body produces an inflammatory response in an attempt to rid of the infection. However, this only makes symptoms worse and leads to bone loss and severe gum recession that ultimately causes loose teeth that can fall out.

Can Gum Disease Be Reversed?

Yes, gum disease can be reversed, but only in the early stages, when gum pocket depths are between 3 and 4 mm. This indicates gingivitis and during this stage, the gums are inflamed but no irreversible destruction of bone and soft tissues has occurred yet.

At this stage, symptoms will be mild and they will be easiest to treat. It can be reversed with regular brushing, flossing, and dental cleanings. However, once you develop periodontitis, the infection will begin to destroy bone and damage soft tissues.

You will require a deep cleaning that removes plaque and tartar that have accumulated below the gum line. In severe cases, you may need oral surgery such as gum flap surgery, gum and bone grafts, or guided tissue regeneration.

Did you know…

We will numb your mouth before beginning a deep cleaning so you don’t feel any pain or discomfort.

Ready To Schedule Your Appointment?

Call (413) 387-4585 to schedule