Protect Your Smile with Expert Periodontal Therapy in Millersville, MD

Without treatment, gum disease can progress and become irreversible. You are at risk of receding gums, infection, and tooth loss if you don’t manage your condition and get regular treatment and therapy. At Millersville Family Dentistry, we take a proactive, comprehensive approach to managing gum disease. Our preventive services allow us to catch early warning signs of gum disease so that we can offer a wider range of treatment options and potentially reverse or slow the progression. Call us now to schedule a consultation for periodontal therapy in Millersville, MD.

What Is Periodontal Therapy?

Periodontal therapy is the prevention, treatment, and management of periodontal disease or gum disease. Our team of experienced dental professionals will assess your symptoms, determine how advanced the disease is, discuss your overall health and lifestyle, and help you make key changes that will improve your oral health. We will design a personalized program tailored to your specific needs to reverse or slow the progression of gum disease.

Diagnosis and Tests to Confirm Periodontal Disease

Our dentists and dental team will look for warning signs of gingivitis and periodontal disease during your routine dental examinations. If you show signs or symptoms of gum disease, we will use special instruments to measure the depth of the pockets around your teeth to check for bone loss or receding gums. We will also assess your bite, the health of your gums, and the level of plaque and tartar on your teeth to determine the severity of your condition. We will also take dental x-rays to determine the level of bone loss.

Our Methods of Periodontal Disease Treatment

While gum disease isn’t curable, it can be managed or reversed. Gingivitis is the earliest stage of gum disease, and with early intervention and treatment and consistent at-home oral hygiene, it can be reversed. Mild and moderate periodontal disease can be treated with:

• Scaling and Root Planing – Scaling and root planing is a method of nonsurgical periodontal therapy. We will complete a deep cleaning procedure to remove plaque and tartar from below your gum line and use antibiotics to reduce bacteria and control infection. You may need more than one treatment.
• Laser Periodontal Therapy – Laser therapy for periodontal disease is a minimally invasive, highly precise treatment option that uses laser light to target diseased or infected gum tissue and destroy it. The laser light also kills bacteria and seals blood vessels, minimizing pain, bleeding, and inflammation.
• Pocket Reduction Surgery – Pocket reduction surgery is a surgical procedure that reduces the depth of your gum pockets to prevent further damage and reduce your risk of tooth loss. LANAP is a method of periodontal laser therapy that is less invasive and uses a handheld laser to reduce pockets, kill bacteria and infection, and stimulate healing.

If you have advanced periodontal disease, we may refer you to an oral surgeon or periodontist for bone grafting or gum grafting. If you have experienced tooth loss due to gum disease, we can assess you for tooth replacement options like dentures, dental implants, or full mouth reconstruction.

Why Choose Millersville Family Dentistry

At Millersville Family Dentistry, we offer comprehensive general dentistry and preventive dentistry services to patients aged five and older. Our preventive services can give you early warning signs of oral health issues like gum disease and provide you with the education and tools you need to improve your oral hygiene and reduce your risk. We offer fluoride treatments, dental sealants, dental exams and x-rays, and professional teeth cleanings, all of which can lower your risk of gum disease, tooth decay, infection, and tooth loss. We also offer comprehensive treatment and management options to lower your chances of needing emergency dental care or dental restorations.

Schedule a Consultation for Gum Disease Treatment

If you are concerned about your risk for periodontal disease or recognize early warning signs of gingivitis or gum disease in Millersville, MD, we can help. Call us now or contact us online to schedule a dental exam and screening, and we can assess your oral health and determine your risk. Our knowledgeable, friendly team of dental professionals will help you improve your oral health and explore all of your options for gum disease management and treatment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is periodontal disease? Periodontal disease, also called gum disease, is an inflammation and infection of your gum tissue and the bone that supports your teeth.

What are the symptoms of periodontal disease? The most common symptoms are red or purple gums, bleeding, soreness, bad breath, a bad taste in your mouth, pain when chewing, receding gums, and loose teeth.

What causes periodontal disease? Poor oral hygiene causes plaque and tartar to build up on your teeth and gums. Plaque and tartar harbor harmful bacteria, allowing them to multiply and infect your gums and bone.

What are the complications of periodontal disease? Without treatment, periodontal disease will get worse. It can cause severe infections that can spread through your blood to your heart and other organs. It can also cause receding gums, loose teeth, tooth loss, jaw bone loss, and facial deformity.

How do you prevent gum disease? You can reduce your risk of gum disease and reverse early periodontal disease by improving your oral hygiene and making key lifestyle changes. Brush twice per day, floss once per day, and use a fluoridated or anti-tartar mouthwash. If you smoke or use tobacco products, you should stop. You should also follow a healthy diet, drink plenty of water, and avoid sugary foods and beverages.