Non-Surgical Treatment
Non-Surgical Procedures
The emphasis in Konikoff Salzberg Periodontics is conservative periodontal therapy. The key to which therapy to employ must be based on a diagnosis. We treat our patients according to their specific needs. Therefore, our treatment plans are customized for each individual patient. Many times, the early stages of periodontal disease can and are best treated with non-surgical therapy. The goal of this therapy is to reduce the inflammation present in the gum tissues by altering the types and quantities of bacteria from beneath the gums and to educate and motivate the patient to maintain this environment. This therapy employs both mechanical and chemical means to achieve a good result. Even in the most severe cases of periodontal disease, non-surgical periodontal therapy most often precedes surgical therapy. This is done to limit the areas of requiring surgery and to improve the overall quality of the tissues in the areas that still can benefit from surgical treatment.
Periodontics Presentation
To provide you with a better understanding of periodontics, we have provided the following multimedia presentation. Many common questions pertaining to periodontics are discussed.
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Treatment Methods
The mainstay of non-surgical treatment is the mechanical removal of deposits of plaque and calculus (tarter) that have accumulated beneath the gums.
The mainstay of non-surgical treatment is the mechanical removal of deposits of plaque and calculus (tarter) that have accumulated beneath the gums. This is accomplished with the use of ultrasonic and hand scaling and root planing. In these procedures a fine ultrasonic tip or instrument is placed beneath the gums. Ultrasonic vibration, water and antibacterial chemicals are used to remove the deposits and smooth the root surfaces. This allows the loose gum tissues to heal and tighten around the teeth reducing the depths of the pockets (spaces) where the bacteria and calculus had resided. This can often be accomplished with minimal discomfort. However, the comfort of our patients is of prime concern, so local anesthetics are used whenever necessary.
The adjunctive portion of this non-surgical therapy may involve the use of antibiotics or additional irrigation with anti-microbials (chemical agents or mouth rinses) to help control the growth of bacteria that create toxins and cause continued breakdown. In some cases, antibiotic fibers or gels or anti-microbial chips can be placed in the periodontal pockets after scaling and planing. This may be done to control infection and to encourage normal healing in specific sites of continued problems.
The mainstay of non-surgical treatment is the mechanical removal of deposits of plaque and calculus (tarter) that have accumulated beneath the gums.
The problems of loose teeth are addressed in this non- surgical portion of treatment. If the loose teeth have enough bone to enable them to be retained, occlusal (bite) treatment is initiated. This can involve adjusting the bite in order to take pressure off the teeth and allow them to tighten. In more advanced conditions, it is sometimes necessary to make an appliance (similar to an orthodontic retainer) that provides rest to the teeth and allows the bone to heal. Once this occurs, bite adjustment can be done.
Following this non-surgical treatment, a four to six week period of healing is allowed to pass. We then re-evaluate the condition of the teeth and gums and determine the degree of success that has occurred. This then determines the need to consider additional treatment options which may include surgical intervention.