Improve Your Oral Health With Periodontal Therapy

In order to keep your teeth as healthy as possible, it is essential to care for the gums and bones that surround the teeth and keep them in place. Your dentist may recommend periodontal therapy if your gums or other tissues are damaged enough to impact the health of your teeth.

Periodontal therapy consists of several types of procedures that are used to increase the health and functionality of the gums. Teeth need to be surrounded by healthy gums in order to stay in good condition, so periodontal therapy contributes significantly to overall oral health. Some typical procedures that are classified as periodontal therapy include:

• Scaling and root planing, which are used to deep clean the gums, particularly below the gum line
• Gum grafting, which is used to replace missing parts of the gum that can contribute to tooth loss or decay
• Periodontal plastic surgery or laser treatment, which are used to remove or reshape parts of the gum

There are a variety of reasons why your dentist may recommend periodontal therapy. Because the goal of periodontal therapy is to improve the condition of the gums and surrounding tissues, being diagnosed with gum disease is a common reason for seeking periodontal therapy. Other possible reasons for needing periodontal therapy include:

• Severe plaque or tartar buildup beneath the gums
• Bone loss in areas that support the teeth
• Missing or misshapen parts of the gums