What is gum disease?
Periodontal disease, commonly known as gum disease, is a degenerative condition that damages your gums and can seriously affect the rest of your smile and your overall health. Gum disease is caused by bacteria in plaque and dental calculus, and when not properly treated, periodontal disease can lead to tooth loss, bone loss, and gum tissue loss.
What is gum treatment?
One of our most frequently recommended forms of periodontal treatment is scaling and root planing. These are deep cleaning procedures; scaling involves removing plaque and calculus (hardened plaque) from the teeth at and below the gum line, while root planing is the process of smoothing out the surfaces of the tooth roots. Root planing can allow the gums to better reattach to the root surface and prevent bacteria and disease from hiding in rough areas on the root surfaces. Dr. Nadia Hamouda, our caring dentist, often utilizes local anesthesia for this treatment to ensure your comfort.
Treatment for gum disease in Ann Arbor, Michigan, may also include antibiotic treatment. We may recommend ARESTIN® or ATRIDOX®, which are used in conjunction with scaling and root planing to eliminate harmful bacteria and restore the health of your smile.
For more information on periodontal treatment, we invite you to contact us today at White Pearl Dentistry. We are committed to helping you improve your dental health.