What periodontal treatments do we provide?
The central one is scaling and root planing, often called a deep cleaning. Where pockets have formed, tartar and bacteria are removed from the root surfaces below the gumline, and the roots are smoothed so the gum can tighten back against them. It’s usually done one section of the mouth at a time, with the area numbed. If you want to understand the disease behind it first, start with our page on gum disease.
Gum recession is the other common reason for care. Gums pull back for several reasons, among them gum disease, brushing too hard, a tooth’s position in the jaw and grinding, and an exposed root can be sensitive and wears faster than enamel. We look for the cause, address it and protect the root, so the recession doesn’t keep advancing.
Why do the gums come before other dental work?
Because crowns, bridges, implants and aligners all depend on them. The edge of a crown placed against inflamed gum won’t seal well, an implant needs healthy tissue and bone around it, and moving teeth with aligners through infected gums can speed bone loss. So when Dr. Prane finds active gum problems while planning other treatment, the gums are treated first and the rest follows once they’re stable.
Before a periodontal visit, new patients can complete the periodontal registration form online from our patient registration forms page, so your history is in hand before you sit down.