Periodontal Therapy Toronto

What is Periodontal Therapy

Periodontal therapy includes methods of controlling periodontal, or gum disease. Depending on how severe the gum disease is, the treatment methods may vary. There are two primary types of periodontal therapies used to treat gum disease.

Deep Cleaning Including Root Planing and Scaling

These processes are used to remove the buildup of plaque. Both root planing and scaling are used to deep clean the teeth. Scaling scrapes tartar from the surface of the teeth, even below gum lines. Root planing smooths the tooth out and removes rough spots so germs cannot collect there. This helps remove bacteria that can cause gum disease.

The Use of Medications

In some instances, dentists will use medications for periodontal therapy. Medications can be used alone or along with surgical procedures depending on the severity of the disease. There is no indication at this time if medications can help prevent the need for surgery later on or not. Medications might include prescription mouth rinses, antiseptic chips, antibiotic gels, antibiotic microspheres and enzyme suppressants.

Surgical Treatment Options

For some, surgery is necessary. It is usually used as a last resort if other periodontal therapies have not worked. Dentists may suggest flap surgery to remove pockets of infection. Or they may use bone and tissue grafts.