Practice Limited to Periodontics

A different, more conservative and more cost-effective approach to gum disease than traditional periodontal therapy

How We Treat Gum Disease

Gum disease is an infectious disease. The most effective way to stop and control gum disease is to use recognized and proven medical guidelines for treating infectious diseases.

In the case of gum disease, this is called anti-infective periodontal therapy. Effective treatment does not require the use of traditional periodontal surgery or laser surgery.

Our conservative approach to treating gum disease is more effective as well as less expensive.

ANTI-INFECTIVE PERIODONTAL THERAPY

Gum disease, also known as chronic periodontitis, is an infectious disease.  It is a bacterial infection starting in the pockets between the gums and teeth which, if left untreated, will cause the gums to separate from the tooth.  This results in deeper pockets and the loss of bone support. Eventually teeth may loosen and be lost.

These destructive infections occur in people whose bodily defenses allow the growth of destructive bacteria under their gums. Since we have no way to change a person’s defenses to resist these infections, gum disease cannot be “cured."  However, it can be stopped and controlled.

Chronic infectious diseases are controlled by identifying the causative microorganisms, eliminating them and monitoring for recurrence. Routinely monitoring for new infection after treatment is part of the strategy to control any chronic infection, including gum disease.

Monitoring requires one or more of the following: microscopic evaluations of bacterial samples, cultures, enzyme tests and bacterial DNA identification.

Anti-infective periodontal therapy may include the use of antibiotics when needed.  Our patients are trained to effectively and gently access under their gums to disrupt destructive bacterial growths on a daily basis.  Monitoring for re-emergence of destructive infections is necessary even after the disease is controlled. Anti-infective periodontal therapy is the most effective and predictable way to stop gum disease.

Traditional gum surgery, including laser surgery, used to “eliminate pockets,” is not needed to stop and control periodontal disease.