Non-surgical Treatments

Scaling and Root Planing

The early stages of gum disease may only require non-surgical treatment. Scaling and root planing, a minor procedure involves a careful removal of plaque and tartar from the affected gums, and smooth the tooth root to remove any bacterial toxins. During this procedure, your hygienist will remove harmful bacteria and irritants from deep beneath your gums to prevent plaque from accumulating again.

Laser Treatment

An innovative technology that can assist non-surgical treatments for gum disease, laser dentistry involves treating the gingival pocket with a narrow, intense beam of light energy at a wavelength that is ideally suited for soft tissue procedures. This light energy removes a tiny amount of diseased tissue, decontaminates any gum pockets and aides in reducing the bacteria associated with the disease.

Surgical Treatments

Pocket Depth Reduction

Periodontal disease damages these tissues and bones supporting the tooth, leaving open spaces around the teeth known as ‘pockets’. The larger these pockets are, the easier it is for bacteria to collect inside them, causing more bone and tissue loss. Without treatment, the supportive structure degrades to the point that the tooth either falls out or needs to be removed.

We fold back the gum tissue, remove the bacteria hiding underneath, as well as the hardened plaque and tartar that have collected. Then we secure the gum tissue back in place. We also smooth any irregular surfaces of the damaged bone to limit the areas where bacteria can live, making it easier for your gums to reattach to healthy bone.

Gum Grafts

Periodontal disease can cause your gums to recede, exposing the roots of your teeth. As teeth are supposed to be protected by the gum line, when they are exposed, they can be very sensitive and susceptible to decay. Exposed roots can also make your teeth appear longer and have an ageing effect on your appearance.

Gum graft surgery involves taking gum tissue from another part of your mouth usually your palate and using it to cover the exposed root, restoring the gum line to its original, healthy location. This can protect the root from decay, lower sensitivity, reduce further recession and bone loss and make your smile appear more youthful.

Crown Lengthening

Gum disease can seriously damage your teeth but if a tooth is decayed, broken below the gum line or too short, it may not be possible to affix a crown or bridge to restore it. In this case, dental crown lengthening can adjust the gum and bone level, making restoration possible.

This procedure is performed under local anaesthetic to reshape the gum line to improve the aesthetics of your smile by exposing more of your teeth. Gum is folded back, bone and the gums are adjusted to be in harmony to the new restoration on the tooth surface, gums are placed back with tiny sutures.

Ridge Augmentation

Ridge augmentation is a common procedure performed to help recreate the natural contour of the gums. Often, after a tooth is removed, your jawbone no longer needs to support it and will naturally begin to deteriorate and recede. The height and width of the socket, which was supported by the tooth, will begin to shrink after the tooth is removed. This can lead to a gum indentation developing where the tooth used to be.

Ridge augmentation is a simple procedure that regenerates jaw bone and tissue, to re-establish your natural gum line, giving you an enhanced quality of life and giving you back your beautiful smile.

Maintenance

Plaque, a sticky film, continuously forms on tooth surfaces. Once your periodontal treatment has been completed, we recommend you book periodontal cleanings by a hygienist or dentist.