Perhaps you’ve heard of non-surgical periodontal therapy, which is a method of removing bacteria, plaque, and tartar that have been prominent in causing periodontal disease (gum disease) in patients. This procedure appeals to patients because while it isn’t surgery, it can be effective in restoring the healthy connection between your gums and teeth. Let’s learn more about non-surgical periodontal therapy and how it can help reverse gum disease!
It Aims to Prevent Gum Disease
Depending on your particular stage of gum disease, non-surgical periodontal therapy may or may not be the best choice for you. You can talk with your dentist about if you would be a good candidate for this procedure. It’s not for people who have advanced stages of gum disease, but rather for those who are in the beginning stages and can try to turn around their dental health by removing bacteria and plaque.Non-surgical periodontal therapy removes and controls the bacteria that cause gum disease. The procedure’s goal is to help you halt the progression of periodontal disease and get your oral health back. Let’s look at what you can expect during the procedure and how you determine how successful it will be!
What Can I Expect During the Procedure?
During non-surgical periodontal therapy, you’ll be under local anesthesia. Your dentist will then perform a detailed cleaning of your roots, teeth surfaces, and even under your gums if necessary to remove plaque and bacteria. Plaque is scraped away in a process called scaling, and roots are leveled in a process called planing. Plaque and tartar (the hardened form of plaque) are often under the gums as well and need to be removed, which will be done during the procedure as well. This allows the gums to reestablish their healthy connection with your teeth. Gum pockets may also need to be cleaned in order to get rid of bacteria that may be trapped there.
You Determine Your Own Success
During non-surgical periodontal therapy, your roots are thoroughly cleaned, bacteria is removed along with any plaque or tartar, and your mouth is ready to be healthy again. However, after your dentist has properly cleaned your mouth, you determine how successful the outcome of the procedure will be. If you don’t brush and floss, visit your dentist, and change your eating habits, the bacteria can come back in as little as a few weeks and the process of gum disease will begin all over again. You determine how effective your treatment will be. It’s vital to prevent the bacteria from coming back and colonizing in your mouth. Talk with your dentist about how to properly care for your mouth after treatment!
Consider non-surgical periodontal therapy if you’ve been diagnosed with periodontal disease. Talk with your dentist about the procedure and what to expect and well as healthy practices that you can adopt to enhance the outcome of this type of therapy. Remember, your gums and teeth should last for life—this treatment can get you ready to take control of your dental health and reestablish your healthy smile!
