Periodontal Treatment

Most people don’t realize that periodontal disease is the leading cause of tooth loss among adults. According to statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one out of every two adults over the age of 30 in the United States has periodontal disease.

You may be surprised to learn that the human mouth is home to a wide variety of microbes. The fact is that over 700 different strains of bacteria have been detected in the oral cavity. Although some of these bacteria are beneficial, others are harmful to oral health. Without proper oral hygiene and routine dental care, these harmful bacteria can cause tooth decay and gum disease, compromising both your oral health and overall wellbeing.

In addition to inadequate oral hygiene and infrequent professional care, other factors, including smoking, genetic tendencies, and unchecked diabetes, can contribute to the escalation of periodontal disease.

Your gums and teeth have an interdependent relationship, which means healthy teeth depend on the support of healthy gums. Also, taking care of your smile does more than keep your teeth and gums in optimal condition; good oral health also supports systemic health. In addition to being the leading cause of tooth loss in adults, researchers are finding more and more links between periodontal disease and a number of medical problems, including heart disease, stroke, diabetes, respiratory problems, and adverse pregnancy outcomes such as pre-term and low birth-weight babies.

If you notice that your gums are bleeding with the slightest pressure while brushing or flossing, it’s a sign of gingivitis. Although gingivitis is the earliest stage of gum disease, it can easily be reversed with deeper cleanings as well as an improved regimen of oral hygiene at home.

In the absence of professional treatment and better home care, gingivitis progresses to the next stage, which is known as periodontitis. In this stage, the connective tissue and bone that hold the teeth in place begin to break down with an increase in pocketing between the teeth and bone, gum recession, and bone loss. Without proper treatment by your dentist, periodontitis will progress from a mild to moderate loss of supporting tissue to the destruction of the bone around the teeth.

Although gingivitis can often be reversed with improved oral hygiene and professional cleanings, as periodontal disease advances, more extensive procedures are required to halt its progression. Based on a complete assessment of your periodontal health and a review of possible contributing factors, our office will recommend the best options in care. Treatment for periodontitis may include a series of deeper cleanings known as root planing and scaling, surgical procedures to reduce pocket depth, bone or tissue grafts, laser procedures, or antimicrobial medications.

The cost of care depends on the type of procedures required to restore your periodontal health. If you have dental insurance, plans often cover treatment to prevent gum disease as well as many procedures to treat the various stages of gum disease. Our goal is to help patients restore and maintain good oral health. We do all we can to help you begin care without additional stress or delay. Our business office works with you to maximize your benefits and provide easier, more convenient payment options.

By seeing our office regularly for care and doing your best to eat a healthy diet and practice good oral hygiene, you can keep your smile in tip-top shape as well as protect your overall wellbeing.

At the office of Arevalo Dental Studio, we provide a comprehensive range of services to address all your oral healthcare needs. You can rest assured that your smile is in the best of hands at our office. Our skilled and experienced team maintains a position at the forefront of advances in care and remains dedicated to providing the highest quality of skilled and compassionate treatment.

Periodontal disease is an infection and inflammation of the tissues that surround and support the teeth, triggered by bacteria in dental plaque. Over time the inflammatory response can damage the gum attachments and underlying jawbone, creating deeper pockets around teeth and reducing their stability. As support structures deteriorate, teeth can shift, feel loose, and become harder to clean effectively.

Because periodontal disease often progresses slowly, many people do not notice major pain until the condition is advanced. Early intervention can control inflammation, reduce pocket depth, and preserve natural tooth structure. A timely diagnosis and treatment plan improve the prospects for long-term oral comfort and function.

Common early signs include gums that bleed during brushing or flossing, persistent bad breath, and tissues that appear red, swollen, or tender. You may also notice increased tooth sensitivity, gum recession that exposes root surfaces, or a change in how your teeth fit together when you bite. These symptoms indicate active inflammation that warrants a dental evaluation.

Other warning signs can include new spaces between teeth, a partial denture that no longer fits comfortably, discharge at the gum line, or discomfort when chewing. Because some stages of gum disease produce minimal symptoms, routine dental exams and periodontal screening are important for early detection. Prompt attention reduces the risk of progression to more destructive disease.

Gingivitis is the earliest, reversible stage of gum disease and involves inflammation of the gum tissue without loss of the supporting bone or connective tissue. Typical signs are redness, swelling, and bleeding with brushing or flossing, and gingivitis usually resolves with improved oral hygiene and professional cleanings. At this stage the underlying tooth support remains intact.

Periodontitis occurs when inflammation advances and the connective tissues and bone that anchor teeth begin to break down, resulting in deeper periodontal pockets and potential tooth mobility. Treatment for periodontitis focuses on stopping tissue destruction and may require more intensive non-surgical or surgical therapies. Early recognition of gingivitis and timely care help prevent progression to periodontitis.

A periodontal evaluation typically begins with a review of your medical and dental history followed by a clinical examination that measures pocket depths, checks for bleeding on probing, and assesses tooth mobility and gum recession. Diagnostic X-rays are often used to evaluate the level of bone supporting the teeth and to identify areas of bone loss that are not visible during a visual exam. Together these findings allow the clinician to determine the stage and activity of the disease.

Based on the assessment the dental team creates a personalized treatment plan that addresses your specific needs and goals and outlines recommended therapies and maintenance. The practice will explain the rationale for each step and discuss what to expect during and after treatment. Clear communication helps you make informed decisions about preserving periodontal health at Arevalo Dental Studio.

Non-surgical therapy is often the first line of treatment and includes thorough professional cleanings, scaling and root planing to remove plaque and hardened deposits beneath the gumline, and smoothing root surfaces to deter bacterial recolonization. Adjunctive measures such as localized antimicrobial applications or systemic medications may be used in select cases to reduce bacterial load and support healing. Improving daily home care is a critical component of any non-surgical program.

After initial therapy the clinical response is reassessed and additional conservative interventions may be recommended if pockets remain or inflammation persists. Periodic periodontal maintenance appointments focus on controlling bacterial accumulation and monitoring pocket depths and tissue stability. For many patients, consistent non-surgical care combined with improved hygiene leads to meaningful and lasting disease control.

Surgical or regenerative treatment is considered when periodontal pockets are too deep to be effectively cleaned with non-surgical methods or when there is significant bone or soft tissue loss that compromises tooth support. Common procedures include periodontal flap surgery to access and thoroughly decontaminate root surfaces, bone grafting to restore lost hard tissue, and guided tissue regeneration to encourage regrowth of supportive structures. The choice of procedure depends on the pattern and extent of tissue destruction.

The goals of surgical therapy are to eliminate subgingival bacterial deposits, reduce pocket depth to make daily cleaning more effective, and, when possible, regenerate lost tissues to improve long-term stability. Modern techniques aim to minimize discomfort and promote predictable healing while creating an anatomy that is easier to maintain. A careful evaluation determines whether regenerative options are clinically appropriate for each site.

Laser-assisted periodontal procedures such as LANAP® use a dental laser to selectively target diseased tissue and bacteria while preserving healthy gum and root structure. The approach can allow access to infected pockets with less invasive tissue manipulation than traditional surgery, and it is designed to encourage clot formation and stimulate healing of the tissues. Some patients experience reduced post-operative discomfort and a faster initial recovery.

Not every case is suitable for laser therapy, so candidacy is determined by the clinical presentation and the extent of tissue and bone loss. When appropriate, laser-assisted therapy is integrated into a comprehensive treatment plan that includes debridement, careful monitoring, and ongoing maintenance. Discussing the potential benefits and limitations with your clinician helps set realistic expectations for outcomes.

Prevention begins with consistent daily oral hygiene: brushing twice a day, cleaning between teeth with floss or interdental brushes, and using a dentist-recommended toothpaste and technique. Regular professional cleanings and periodontal screenings allow early removal of plaque and calculus and help identify problems before they progress. Lifestyle factors such as quitting tobacco use, managing blood sugar if you have diabetes, and maintaining a balanced diet also support periodontal health.

Because chronic gum inflammation can increase systemic inflammatory burden, controlling periodontal disease contributes to overall well-being and may reduce risks associated with certain health conditions. Coordinating care with your primary medical provider is advisable when systemic issues like diabetes or cardiovascular disease are present. Preventive care and early interventions are the most effective strategies for protecting both oral and general health.

Frequency of periodontal maintenance is individualized based on disease severity, response to treatment, and your ability to maintain home hygiene; many patients are scheduled for maintenance visits every three months initially. These visits include thorough cleaning of root surfaces, removal of new deposits, pocket monitoring, and reinforcement of oral hygiene techniques. Regular maintenance helps prevent recurrence and allows early management of any signs of disease reactivation.

Over time the maintenance interval may be adjusted if clinical stability is demonstrated, but consistency is essential because gum disease is chronic and can recur without ongoing care. Your dental team will document pocket depths and other parameters to guide scheduling and ensure timely intervention if conditions change. Adherence to the recommended maintenance program is a key factor in long-term periodontal success.

To schedule an evaluation, you can call the practice to describe your concerns and request a periodontal assessment; the office is located at 6546 Gunn Hwy, Tampa, FL 33625 and new patients may call (813) 474-7201 while existing patients can call (813) 908-8100. When you call, the team can advise whether any preliminary information or forms are needed and reserve an appointment time that aligns with your needs. Preparing a list of medications and any relevant medical history helps the clinician assess factors that influence periodontal care.

At the initial visit the provider will review your history, perform a clinical examination, take any necessary X-rays, and discuss a recommended treatment plan and maintenance schedule. This consultation is an opportunity to ask questions about diagnostic findings, treatment options, and what to expect during therapy and recovery. Clear communication at the first visit sets the foundation for coordinated, long-term periodontal care.