Broadway Dentistry
A Broadway Dentistry hygienist smiling as she talks with a patient in the chair before a cleaning in Fort Wayne

Periodontal Treatment

Periodontal treatment depends on the type and severity of the disease. Your dentist and hygienist will check for periodontal disease and recommend the right treatment.

How periodontal disease progresses

Bacteria, plaque and tartar fill the sulcus (pocket) between the tooth and gums and irritate the surrounding tissue. Left in place, they damage the gums and eventually the bone that supports the teeth.

A patient talking with a team member in the chair during a dental exam visit at Broadway Dentistry in Fort Wayne

Treatment by stage

If the disease is caught at the gingivitis stage, before any damage, one to two regular cleanings are recommended, along with better daily oral hygiene and regular dental cleanings.

More advanced disease calls for scaling and root planing (deep cleaning), usually one numbed quadrant at a time. Tartar, plaque and toxins are removed above and below the gum line, and rough root surfaces are smoothed so the gums heal and pockets shrink. Medications, medicated rinses and an electric tooth brush may help control infection.

A smiling patient in the chair at Broadway Dentistry in Fort Wayne, which offers cosmetic dentistry and whitening
Dr. Denise Acosta and a team member laughing with a young patient in a treatment room at Broadway Dentistry in Fort Wayne, where fillings and crowns are done

When pockets don’t heal

If pockets don’t heal after scaling and root planing, periodontal surgery may be needed to reduce them so teeth are easier to clean. Your dentist may also recommend that you see a periodontist (a gum and bone specialist).

New patients welcome

Emergency calls and appointments are available and welcome, especially for new patients seeking help.