Depending on how far the diseases have progressed, treatment can vary widely. If caught in the early stages, simple procedures are done that will remove the plaque and calculus from below the gumline and eliminate the infection-causing bacteria. If these diseases have advanced to the point where periodontal pockets are deep and the supporting bone is lost, further treatment might be necessary.

Whatever the treatment may entail, the goal is to return you to good oral health and then help you maintain it.

Benefits of periodontal treatment include fresh breath, the ability to chew your food more easily and, most importantly, healthy gums that are free from infection.

Once the diseases have been arrested, patients are seen regularly for supportive periodontal treatment. This ongoing phase of treatment will allow your periodontist to assess your periodontal health and make sure your infection stays under control. During SPT, your mouth is examined, new calculus and plaque are removed, and if necessary, your teeth are polished and your bite is checked. Periodontal disease is a chronic disease. Without careful, ongoing maintenance, disease can reoccur.