There are considerable advantages to choosing a periodontal specialist whose range of expertise is as vast as Dr. Gottesman, Dr. Pitman, and Dr. Bogart . As leaders in the field of periodontology, our doctors and staff have a firm grasp on the intricacies of the periodontal disease process. This knowledge and confidence enables our team to properly diagnose your condition and provide the appropriate treatment.
Whenever possible, the most comprehensive and conservative treatment will be the first recommendation. For patients who have been diagnosed with early to moderate periodontal disease, a non-surgical approach can yield impressive results.
What is Scaling and Root Planing?
The accumulation of plaque bacteria is the most common cause of periodontal disease in susceptible individuals. As the accumulation adheres to the teeth and moves below the gumline, the toxins released by the bacteria become the source of constant irritation to the body, triggering a chronic inflammatory response.
Only with the help of specialized instrumentation can the irritants be completely removed. Sometimes referred to as deep cleaning, scaling and root planing is the procedure that can physically remove plaque and tartar from all surfaces of the teeth and the pockets below the gumline.
What is Antibiotic Therapy?
Since bacteria reside naturally within the oral cavity, they can be expected to accumulate in the pockets deep below the gumline soon after the completion of the scaling and root planing procedure. In order to allow the gum tissue to heal properly, antibiotics may be recommended as an adjunctive form of therapy that can significantly improve the outcome of scaling and root planing.
In the form of a pill, antibiotics can provide systemic protection against periodontal infections. In the form of a powder or gel, antibiotics can be delivered directly into the infected pockets beneath the gumline for localized infection control.
What is Periodontal Maintenance?
Clinical studies have shown that periodontal disease must be regularly monitored and treated for long-term success. The damage of bone loss and gum recession caused by the disease is irreversible, and regularly scheduled maintenance appointments must be upheld to prevent further damage. These maintenance appointments may include periodontal probing, x-rays, plaque and tartar removal, and personalized oral hygiene instructions.
In the early stages, periodontal disease can be treated and prevented from compromising your health through the use of non-surgical therapeutic techniques. To find out if these procedures are right for you, contact our Manhattan office for a personal consultation today.
Receiving Periodontal Treatment
The treatments described above will be provided after our periodontist thoroughly examines your teeth and gums to determine which approach will be most appropriate. We strive to make this initial evaluation as comfortable as possible for you, as it helps to establish a trusting relationship between the periodontist and the patient.
When you seek periodontal treatment early, you are more likely to get effective treatment from one of these non-invasive procedures and you improve your chances for better outcomes, as well. All patients – even those who have never experienced a previous episode of periodontal disease – should routinely monitor their gums for symptoms of periodontal disease, including redness, bleeding or swelling in the gums, as well as pockets that develop between the teeth and gums, loose teeth or persistent bad breath.
When you spot any of those signs, call PerioNYC’s Manhattan office as soon as possible to schedule an evaluation.
Prior to your scheduled treatment, your periodontist also will give you specific instructions to prepare for the appointment as well as directions to care for the site of the treatment afterward and for the antibiotic therapy, if applicable. Follow these instructions carefully, and do not hesitate to ask any questions you may have. We want to make sure that you are doing everything properly to achieve optimal treatment outcomes.
The Importance of Periodontal Maintenance
As noted above, periodontal maintenance is an important component of your overall oral health after you have already been through one bout of gingivitis or periodontitis. This activity is not confined to our Manhattan office, either. Certainly, your follow-up appointments here are essential, but you also need to put in the effort at home to reduce your risk of a relapse. Be sure to brush thoroughly twice a day, using the proper technique and floss daily as well. Ask Dr. Gottesman, Dr. Pitman, or Dr. Bogart if there are any additional precautions that might be beneficial in your case, and check in to make sure that your home oral hygiene routine is as effective as possible.
