PERIODONTAL TREATMENT

This is a term for the treatment of gum disease which can manifest as gingivitis, and advance to periodontitis if left untreated.
Depending on the severity, there are several ways to treat gum disease; the overall goal of any treatment is to eradicate bacteria and infection and to prevent further damage.

Treatment can be nonsurgical or surgical.
Nonsurgical treatments include scaling, root planning and in some cases antibiotics.
Scaling removes tartar and bacteria from your tooth surfaces and below the gum line whereas root planning smoothes the root surfaces, discouraging further build-up of tartar.
If you have advanced periodontitis, your gums may not respond to nonsurgical treatments or good oral hygiene and may require surgical treatment.
Such treatments can range from Flap Surgery to Bone and Tissue Grafts.

Treatment and results depend on many factors, including how far the disease has progressed and other risk factors. A consultation with your dentist will provide further information.
Any type of treatment requires that the patient keep up good daily oral care at home.