Periodontal Health

Your gums are more than a frame for your teeth — they are the biological foundation that supports every aspect of oral health. When gum disease progresses, the consequences extend well beyond your mouth, affecting your ability to eat, speak, and even your systemic health.

What Is Periodontal Disease?

Periodontal disease is an infection of the tissues that support your teeth. It begins as gingivitis — inflammation caused by bacterial plaque — and can advance to periodontitis, where the infection destroys the bone and connective tissue that anchor your teeth. Left untreated, periodontal disease is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults. It is also associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes complications, and preterm birth.

How We Treat It

At Oral Plastic Surgery, we offer the full spectrum of periodontal care: from early-stage prevention and conservative treatment to advanced surgical intervention. Our approach starts with a comprehensive assessment — including full-mouth probing, digital radiographs, and a thorough review of your medical history and risk factors.

Non-Surgical Options

For early-to-moderate disease, we often begin with non-surgical treatment:

• Scaling and root planing — a thorough deep cleaning that removes bacterial deposits from beneath the gumline and smooths root surfaces to discourage reattachment of bacteria
• LANAP laser therapy — an FDA-cleared protocol that uses a specific laser wavelength to selectively kill disease-causing bacteria and stimulate regeneration, without incisions or sutures
• Localized antibiotic therapy — antimicrobial agents placed directly into periodontal pockets to reduce bacterial load

Surgical Options

When disease is advanced or has not responded to initial treatment, surgical intervention may be necessary:

• Osseous surgery (pocket reduction) — reshaping of the bone and gum tissue to eliminate deep pockets where bacteria accumulate
• Regenerative surgery — placement of bone grafts, membranes, and growth factors to rebuild bone and attachment lost to disease
• Soft tissue grafting — covering exposed roots, thickening thin gum tissue, and correcting recession for both health and esthetic outcomes

Long-Term Maintenance

Periodontal disease is a chronic condition — successful treatment is not a cure, but a controlled state that requires ongoing maintenance. We design individualized periodontal maintenance programs (typically every 3–4 months) that keep disease suppressed and give us early warning of any recurrence.

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