Even though cavities get a lot of attention in dentistry, gum disease is actually the most common dental problem in the world. It’s an infection of the gums and underlying bone that support your teeth, the result of bacteria-filled plaque and tartar being allowed to accumulate below the gum line. Early symptoms include redness and swelling, but it can eventually lead to tooth loss if left untreated for too long! If your gums feel sensitive or bleed easily, give us a call today so we can get your oral health back on track with periodontal therapy in Jacksonville, FL.
For advanced cases of gum disease, many dentists have to perform a minor surgery in which they pull the gums away from the teeth so they can expose the tartar hidden below and remove it. But here, we can use our Waterlase Laser to quickly, precisely, and painlessly treat gum disease with a non-invasive procedure that doesn’t even require local anesthetic.
Scaling and root planing is like a deep dental cleaning that primarily focuses on the roots of your teeth where gum disease tends to dwell. After plaque, tartar, and bacteria are removed from the roots of the teeth (scaling), their rough surfaces are gently smoothed out (root planing). This helps the gums heal more quickly and lowers the chance of an infection coming back in the future.
Gum disease can lead to the development of small but relatively deep pockets of bacteria between the teeth and gums, and these areas are extremely hard to clean. But, we can apply a topical antibiotic that dries on contact and then slowly dissolves over a week. This continually exposes the gums to medicine and gives it time to reach the bottom of these pockets, taking care of any leftover bacteria.
Waterlase Laser gum therapy combines a highly-concentrated beam of light with a consistent stream of water, and it enables our team to kill bacteria hidden below the gum line without causing any irritation to the surrounding healthy gums. This device cauterizes blood vessels and sanitizes the treatment area as it works, leading to less bleeding and a shorter recovery time. Even better, it can help many patients avoid oral surgery, and the instrument emits almost no heat, sound, or vibration, making the procedure extremely comfortable.