Treatment of periodontal disease
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After examining your gums and teeth, your dentist or periodontist may recommend periodontal treatment. A treatment plan will be developed in consultation with you. Ask any questions you may have, for example, about treatment, benefits, risks, time frames or costs.
Treatment may be by a dentist, periodontist or, where appropriate, dental hygienist working under instruction.
Treatment may involve the following:
- Removal of build-ups of plaque and calculus using dental instruments.
- Scaling: The tooth surface is cleaned to remove plaque and calculus from above the gum line, and in shallow pockets below the gum line. Scaling usually requires only one visit.
- Root planning: Deposits of plaque and calculus on tooth roots and in deeper pockets beneath and gum line are removed using instruments that leave the root surface clean and smooth. A local anaesthetic may be needed to numb the teeth and gums being treated. Root planning may require several visits for different areas of the mouth to be treated.
- Replacement of fillings: If a filling is contributing to gum disease, it may need to be reshaped or replaced.
- Instructions on how to improve your oral hygiene, including removal of plaque by better brushing and cleaning between the teeth.
- Quit smoking: smoking increases the risk of gum disease and reduces the chances of successful treatment.