Gum Disease Treatment (Periodontal Disease) | North Texas Dental Surgery

Gum disease treatment from a board-certified Periodontist

Have you been told you have gum disease and left unsure what the treatment options actually mean? Most people with gum disease feel no pain at all, which is exactly why it goes untreated until bone is lost.

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Bacteria under the gumline, quietly destroying bone

Gum disease, or periodontal disease, is when plaque and tartar get beneath the gums and release toxins that inflame the tissue and, over time, dissolve the bone that holds your teeth. Like high blood pressure, it can advance for years without symptoms.

On an x-ray, healthy bone sits right up near the crown of the tooth. Mild disease shows a little bone loss. Moderate disease shows roughly 3 to 4mm of loss. Severe disease shows more than 4mm, with dark areas around the roots where bone used to be.

Matched to how far it has progressed

Early intervention

Deep cleaning (scaling and root planing) to remove the bacteria below the gumline before bone loss becomes significant.

Laser therapy

A less invasive way to treat infected pockets and help the tissue reattach, with minimal discomfort.

Surgical treatment

Where disease is advanced, procedures to access and clean the roots and, where possible, regenerate lost bone.

Your questions, answered

I have no pain. Do I really have gum disease?

Very possibly. Gum disease is usually painless until it is advanced. A periodontal exam and x-rays are the only way to know where you stand.

Can gum disease be reversed?

The earliest stage (gingivitis) can be reversed. Once bone is lost it does not fully grow back, but treatment can stop the progression and, in some cases, regenerate bone.

Is gum disease linked to other health problems?

Research connects periodontal disease with heart disease, diabetes and other conditions. Treating it is part of your overall health, not just your teeth.