Advanced Periodontal Treatment

A good smile requires good foundations throughout your whole mouth and oral health. If you are dealing with gum disease or other periodontal concerns, having a board-certified periodontist on your side can give you the confidence you need to treat your oral health. If you are looking for an experienced periodontist and an office with advanced dental technology for improved results, we invite you to call Precision Dental Group in Hillsborough, NJ, to schedule your periodontics consultation.

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What Is Periodontal Disease?

Periodontal disease, commonly known as gum disease, is a chronic infection of the gums and supporting bone around the teeth. It is most commonly caused by bacteria that accumulate in plaque and tartar along and below the gumline. Over time, these bacteria trigger inflammation and infection, leading to damage of the gums and the bone that supports the teeth. If left untreated, periodontal disease can result in gum recession, bone loss, and eventual tooth loss.

Periodontal treatments and surgeries are performed to treat periodontal disease. The goal of treatment is to stop the progression of the disease, eliminate infection, and preserve the health and stability of your teeth and gums.

perio disease graphic

Do I Need Periodontal Care?

Periodontal disease often progresses silently, especially in its early stages. If you notice any of these symptoms, we invite you to visit us for a periodontal evaluation:

  • Red or swollen gums: Gums may look inflamed or feel tender to the touch.
  • Bleeding during brushing or flossing: Frequent bleeding is often an early warning sign.
  • Persistent bad breath: Ongoing odor that doesn’t improve with brushing.
  • Receding gums: Teeth may appear longer as gum tissue pulls back.
  • Gum tenderness or discomfort: Sensitivity along the gumline or between teeth.
  • Changes in bite or tooth alignment: Teeth may feel like they’ve shifted.
  • Loose teeth: Advanced gum disease can weaken the support around teeth.
  • Pus along the gumline: A sign of infection that should be evaluated promptly.
  • Discomfort when chewing: Inflammation can make biting or chewing uncomfortable.

Early diagnosis and treatment are key to preventing further damage. If you have any of these symptoms, we can help plan a periodontal treatment to rejuvenate your smile and restore your optimal oral health.

Understanding Periodontal Disease

Not all periodontal disease is the same for every person. It may have different symptoms and require different care. On top of that, there are three stages of gum disease.

First, there is gingivitis, which is completely reversible. Many people will experience gingivitis in their lifetime. The first step in treating gingivitis is increasing attention to your oral health habits, by brushing with correct techniques twice a day and flossing. We may also recommend a special mouthwash or toothpaste.

Gingivitis can turn into periodontitis. This may have some permanent, but minor effects on your teeth. It may result in gum recession. We recommend treating periodontitis with a root scaling and planing, a minor dental procedure, also called a dental deep clean. We will scrape away plaque and tartar from around and under your gumline. We may recommend you complete this a couple of times to fully treat your periodontal concerns. Advanced cases of periodontitis may require more intensive surgery.

Once gum disease has advanced to a stage where it is harming your mouth permanently and putting your oral health at great risk, it is called periodontal disease. Periodontal disease can result in lost teeth if not managed properly. We work with you to prevent periodontal disease in the first place, but if it occurs, we offer osseous surgery, which prevents tooth loss from periodontal disease.

Scaling and Root Planing

Scaling and root planing is a deep cleaning treatment used to treat gum disease and help protect your oral health. This procedure is often recommended when plaque and tartar have built up below the gumline, causing symptoms such as bleeding gums, bad breath, gum tenderness, or pockets around the teeth. By cleaning below the surface and smoothing the tooth roots, scaling and root planing helps reduce inflammation and give the gums a chance to heal and reattach to the teeth.

During treatment, the area is typically numbed for comfort, and the cleaning may be completed over one or more visits depending on the severity of the condition. After your appointment, it is normal to experience mild sensitivity, slight bleeding, or tenderness as the gums heal. Most patients recover within a couple of weeks, and good home care along with regular periodontal maintenance helps support long-term results.

Cheerful woman sitting outdoors with a sweater and bright smile.
woman with jaw pain

The Risks of Putting Off Periodontal Treatment

Periodontal disease does not improve on its own. When treatment is delayed, mild symptoms can progress into more serious oral health concerns that require more complex care. Addressing gum disease early helps protect both your smile and your long-term oral health.

  • Progressive Gum and Bone Damage: Ongoing inflammation can gradually damage the gum tissue and bone that support your teeth. As the disease advances, gums may continue to recede, creating deeper pockets where bacteria can collect and multiply.
  • Increased Tooth Sensitivity and Discomfort: As gums pull away from the teeth, exposed tooth roots may lead to heightened sensitivity, tenderness, and discomfort when eating or brushing.
  • Changes in Bite and Tooth Stability: Untreated periodontal disease can weaken the structures that hold teeth in place. Over time, this may cause teeth to shift, feel loose, or change the way your bite comes together.
  • Higher Risk of Tooth Loss: Advanced periodontal disease is one of the most common causes of tooth loss in adults. Without treatment, damage to the supporting bone can make it difficult to preserve natural teeth.
  • More Involved Treatment Over Time: Delaying care can reduce the effectiveness of conservative treatments. Earlier intervention may allow for simpler solutions, while advanced disease may require surgical procedures to stabilize oral health.

Periodontal treatment is focused on preserving the foundation of your smile. Seeking care at the first signs of gum disease helps protect your teeth, maintain comfort, and support long-term oral health.

Our Periodontal Surgery Options

While many gum and oral health concerns can be managed with non-surgical treatments, like deep cleanings, advanced conditions may require surgical care. Our team provides a full range of dental surgical services to access and treat deeper areas of disease, thus restoring and protecting your oral health.

Osseous surgery is performed to treat advanced periodontal disease where bone loss has created irregular bone contours around the teeth.

How the procedure is done:
The gum tissue is gently lifted away from the teeth to allow access to the underlying bone and root surfaces. Bacteria, tartar, and infected tissue are thoroughly removed. The bone is then carefully reshaped to eliminate deep pockets and create a smoother, more natural contour. Once the area is cleaned and reshaped, the gums are repositioned and secured in place.

Benefits of osseous surgery:

  • Reduces deep periodontal pockets
  • Makes the area easier to keep clean
  • Helps stop further bone loss
  • Improves long-term gum health and tooth stability

Guided Tissue Regeneration (GTR) is a regenerative procedure used when periodontal disease has caused significant bone loss.

How the procedure is done:
After lifting the gum tissue and removing bacteria and diseased tissue, a specialized biocompatible membrane is placed between the bone and the gum tissue. This membrane acts as a barrier, preventing the gum tissue from growing into the bone area too quickly. This allows the bone and supporting tissues time to regenerate properly. In some cases, bone grafting materials may also be placed to enhance regeneration.

Benefits of GTR:

  • Encourages regrowth of bone and supporting tissues
  • Improves tooth support and stability
  • Helps preserve natural teeth
  • Reduces the need for future tooth loss or more extensive treatment

Crown lengthening, also called a gum lift, is done to make teeth longer to improve the esthetics of gummy smiles or create space for dental crowns/ veneers.

How the procedure is done: Excess gum and bone tissue is reshaped to expose more of the natural tooth. This is a minor surgical procedure with minimal postoperative discomfort. Crown lengthening is often performed with other dental procedures like crowns or veneers to give you an optimal esthetic result.

Benefits of Crown Lengthening

  • Improves the appearance of a gummy smile
  • Creates proper space for crowns or veneers
  • Enhances the fit and longevity of restorations
  • Supports healthier gum contours

A gum graft is a surgical procedure used to treat gum recession by thickening existing gum tissue or covering exposed tooth roots. When gums recede due to gum disease, aggressive brushing, or other factors, the roots of the teeth can become vulnerable to sensitivity and further periodontal problems. Gum grafting helps restore the gumline, improve the appearance of the smile, and provide added protection for the teeth and supporting structures.

How the Procedure Is Done

During a gum graft procedure, the area is first numbed with a local anesthetic to ensure comfort. Small incisions are made to create space for the graft material, which is carefully placed over the exposed root or recessed area. The gum tissue is then repositioned and sutured securely in place to stabilize the graft and allow healing to begin. Over time, the graft integrates with the surrounding tissue, strengthening and restoring the gumline.

Benefits of a Gum Graft

  • Covers exposed tooth roots
  • Reduces tooth sensitivity to temperature
  • Restores healthy gum structure
  • Improves overall periodontal health
  • Enhances your smile’s appearance
  • Supports long-term tooth retention
  • Helps protect against future gum recession

Learn more about the procedures we offer on our Dental Surgeries page.

Periodontal Care in Hillsborough, NJ

We offer a personalized approach to periodontal care because everyone’s mouth and oral conditions are different. You can be sure that we’ll create a treatment plan that’s best for you and your complete oral health. Contact us to schedule your consultation or to learn more.

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