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It was recommended that I undergo "Periodontal Therapy," what is the difference between that and a cleaning? Answer: Periodontal Therapy essentially is the treatment of the periodontium, or the gums and bone around the teeth. A cleaning is the least invasive form of Periodontal Therapy and consists of removing mild tartar build up from around the teeth, polishing the teeth, and in some cases applying flouride. But this treatment is not appropriate for all patients. Many adults suffer from a condition called periodontal disease which is a deep-seeded infection of the gums and bone around the teeth. Active periodontal disease is characterized by inflamed, sometimes swollen gums, and bone-loss around one or multiple teeth. In some cases the bone-loss is so severe the tooth may need to be removed. There are several components which contribute to the destructive nature of periodontal disease, and Periodontal Therapy is managing those components so as to minimize further damage to the gums and bone surrounding the teeth. Periodontal disease is said to be incurable, but in most cases it is very manageable. Patients begin their treatment with the removal of tartar surrounding the teeth. The next appointments often involve deeper cleaning and shaping of the roots so as to remove any places bacteria might hide, and allow the bone and gums to heal. This is usually done in a few appointments and the patient is numbed for this portion of the treatment. For teeth that have had a severe loss of bone but are still savable, we place an antibiotic called Arestin (see our Links Page for more information) in the pocket to aid in healing. Afterwards, the patient is put on a recall schedule of a series of "cleanings." Often we'll suggest coming in every three or four months so we can monitor the gums and make sure your condition is not worsening, and removing any mild accumulations of tartar built up in that period. In most cases, as long as pateints follow their recall schedule, a deep cleaning isn't necessary again, but neglect will allow the tartar to rebuild and the destruction to continue where it left off. In some cases it is recommended that a patient see a periodontist, a gum and bone specialist, for surgical intervention. |