Periodontal Treatment

Gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss in Canadian adults, and it often progresses without pain. Periodontal treatment at High River Dental Centre targets the infection under the gum line, stabilizes the bone supporting your teeth, and keeps a manageable problem from becoming a surgical one.

Treatment begins with periodontal charting. We measure the pocket depth around each tooth, check for bleeding, recession and mobility, and compare against your previous records so we can see whether things are improving or slipping. That gives us a clear picture before we recommend anything.

For gingivitis, the earliest stage, thorough scaling and better home care are usually enough to reverse it. For periodontitis, we perform scaling and root planing, a deep cleaning that removes calculus and bacterial toxins from the root surfaces below the gum line so the tissue can reattach. We freeze the area for your comfort and typically treat by quadrant over more than one visit.

Once your gums have settled, you move onto a periodontal maintenance schedule, usually every three to four months rather than the standard six, because the bacteria that caused the problem repopulate faster than they do in a healthy mouth.

Gum health is connected to the rest of your health. If you have diabetes, heart disease, or you are pregnant or a smoker, tell us, because these change both your risk and how closely we monitor you.

Have questions about whether this is right for you? Book an appointment or call our team at (403) 652-2182.