Adjunctive Laser Periodontal Therapy

Your gums are the foundation of your oral health. When your gums are infected or inflamed, we take that seriously at Siena Dental. In fact, we’ve equipped our office with the latest technology in periodontal therapy to ensure you get safe, comfortable and highly effective dental treatments when faced with serious gum disease.

Gum disease is an infection of the gums and bone that support your teeth. It begins when plaque hardens into tartar below the gum line, often as a result of poor dental hygiene habits. This causes an infection within these soft tissues. The first stage of gum disease is gingivitis, but the infection can quickly progress to cause the gums to loosen and recede. Our goal is to help patients avoid gum disease. However, if you need to restore your smile from advanced gum disease or manage mild gingivitis, our office is exceptionally equipped to help.

Siena Dental proudly offers laser periodontal therapy. Using a high-intensity, low-level laser, Dr. Mahon can accurately access and remove the inflamed gum tissue from around the tooth root and prepare the area for scaling and root planing if necessary. Dental lasers are known for their detoxifying effects, pain reduction abilities and promotion of wound healing and anti-inflammatory response in patients with gum disease. In general, laser periodontal therapy helps patients avoid surgery and allows them to have a more comfortable procedure with much less recovery time.

Treatment for Periodontitis

Periodontitis, or gum disease, occurs when inflammation or infection of the gums is allowed to progress without treatment. What begins as bacteria in the mouth could eventually lead to tooth loss if not treated. Not only does gum disease put your dental health at risk, but it can also compromise your overall health. Advanced gum disease has been linked to stroke, heart disease, diabetes and premature births. Dr. Mahon closely monitors your gum health during routine dental exams. If symptoms of gum disease are present, we are equipped to treat them at early or advanced stages. Please let us know if you are experiencing any of the following signs of gum disease, and we can provide appropriate treatment:

• Persistent bad breath
• Red or swollen gums
• Bleeding gums
• Painful chewing
• Loose teeth
• Sensitive teeth
• Receding gums

Deep Cleaning, Scaling and Root Planning

If you need gum disease treatment, Dr. Mahon may use scaling and root planing. Depending on your stage of gum disease, this procedure can be done as a stand-alone treatment or following our laser gum therapy. This is a deep cleaning procedure that effectively and comfortably removes plaque and tartar under the gum line, on the tooth, and around the tooth root. During this deep cleaning, the rough surfaces of the tooth are smoothed out (or planed) to create an optimal environment for the gum tissue to reattach to the tooth. With the use of scaling and root planing along with adjunctive laser therapy, Dr. Mahon is able to successfully treat serious gum disease without surgery.

To learn more about our periodontal therapy using state-of-the-art laser technology and other non-surgical methods, please contact Siena Dental today. Treating gum disease sooner rather than later can save your smile and protect your overall health.