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 Nova Dental, 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 a progressive condition in which bacterial plaque and tartar provoke inflammation of the gums and the supporting structures around the teeth. The periodontium includes the gum tissue, periodontal ligament and the underlying bone that anchor teeth in place, and chronic inflammation can damage these tissues over time. Because early stages are often painless, many adults do not realize a problem is developing until more advanced signs appear.

At Nova Dental we emphasize clear education and timely evaluation so patients can recognize risk factors and intervene before irreversible damage occurs. Understanding how plaque accumulation, host response and systemic factors interact helps patients and clinicians design an effective prevention and treatment plan. Early detection and consistent care are the most reliable ways to protect long-term oral function and esthetics.

Common early signs of gum disease include red, swollen or tender gums and bleeding during brushing or flossing, even when discomfort is mild. Patients may also notice persistent bad breath, a foul taste, or increased tooth sensitivity as inflammation progresses. Because these symptoms can be subtle, any recurring or unexplained oral changes warrant a professional evaluation.

Spotting symptoms early improves the likelihood that conservative therapy will restore health without surgical intervention. Regular periodontal screening during routine dental visits helps identify changes in pocket depths and tissue attachment before they become advanced. If you notice bleeding, recession, looseness, or new gaps between teeth, schedule an assessment promptly.

Gingivitis is the earliest, reversible stage of gum disease in which inflammation is confined to the soft tissues without loss of bone or connective tissue attachment. Typical signs include gum redness, swelling and bleeding, and when addressed with improved home care and professional cleaning, tissues can usually return to a healthy state. Gingivitis does not always progress, but it is a warning sign that plaque control needs improvement.

Periodontitis occurs when inflammation extends deeper and leads to destruction of the periodontal ligament and supporting bone, producing periodontal pockets and possible tooth mobility. Periodontitis is staged to reflect severity and rate of progression, and treatment goals shift from simple plaque control to arresting tissue loss and restoring a stable environment. Early intervention increases the chances of preserving natural teeth and minimizing more invasive procedures.

A thorough periodontal evaluation includes periodontal charting to measure pocket depths and attachment levels, a review of medical and dental history, and targeted radiographs to assess bone support. The clinician will also examine gum tissue for redness, recession, bleeding and signs of mobility or drainage. This combination of measurements and imaging provides a baseline to guide treatment decisions.

Risk factors such as smoking, diabetes, medications and genetic predisposition are also considered when developing a personalized plan. Based on the assessment, the dental team will recommend the least invasive, evidence-based steps to control infection and maintain oral health, and will schedule follow-up visits to monitor progress. Clear communication about findings helps patients participate actively in their care.

The foundation of non-surgical periodontal therapy is scaling and root planing, a professional deep cleaning that removes plaque and calculus from above and below the gumline and smooths root surfaces to reduce bacterial retention. Ultrasonic instruments and hand tools are commonly used to debride infected areas, and treatments are performed under local anesthesia when needed for patient comfort. These procedures reduce pocket depth and allow inflamed tissues to heal when combined with improved home care.

Adjunctive therapies may include locally delivered antimicrobials or, in selected cases, systemic medications to help control bacterial levels, always used according to clinical judgment and current guidelines. Equally important is patient education on effective brushing, interdental cleaning and product selection to sustain improvements between visits. Regular re-evaluation determines whether ongoing non-surgical maintenance is sufficient or if additional steps are needed.

Surgical or regenerative interventions are considered when non-surgical therapy fails to resolve deep pockets, persistent inflammation or significant bone defects that threaten tooth stability. Procedures can include flap surgery to access and clean root surfaces, guided tissue regeneration, bone grafting to rebuild lost support, and soft tissue grafts to address recession and improve gum thickness. The goal of these interventions is to reduce pocket depth, restore anatomic support where possible, and create a maintainable environment.

Contemporary techniques may also employ lasers or microsurgical approaches to enhance precision and patient comfort in select cases, but candidacy depends on the specific pattern of disease and overall health. Successful surgical care is always followed by a tailored maintenance schedule and strict home-care practices to protect the result. The treatment plan balances desired outcomes with the least invasive, evidence-based approach appropriate for each patient.

Research has identified associations between periodontal inflammation and broader health concerns, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes management and certain respiratory conditions, reflecting how chronic oral inflammation can contribute to systemic inflammatory burden. These findings underscore why oral health is an important component of overall wellness rather than a purely dental issue. However, associations do not mean periodontal disease is the direct cause of all systemic problems; rather, managing oral inflammation can be one part of comprehensive health care.

Because periodontal disease can affect or be affected by systemic conditions, clinicians often coordinate care with a patient’s medical providers when appropriate. Treating gum disease and improving oral hygiene can support better health outcomes and may positively influence chronic disease management. Patients with systemic risk factors should inform their dental team so care can be tailored and monitored closely.

Daily oral hygiene is the cornerstone of preventing and controlling periodontal disease; effective routines include twice-daily brushing with a fluoridated toothpaste and daily interdental cleaning using floss or interdental brushes that match the space between teeth. Technique matters: gentle, thorough brushing and proper flossing reduce plaque accumulation along the gumline and in pockets. Patients should also follow any product recommendations or instructions provided by their dental team to address individual needs.

Lifestyle factors such as quitting tobacco, eating a nutrient-rich diet and limiting frequent sugary snacks also support periodontal health by reducing inflammation and promoting tissue resilience. Regularly scheduled professional cleanings and periodontal maintenance visits help reinforce home-care habits and remove areas that daily care can miss. Open communication with the dental team about challenges or changes in health helps keep treatment on track.

Frequency of maintenance visits is individualized based on disease severity, risk factors and response to treatment, but many patients benefit from periodontal maintenance every three months after active therapy to control bacterial repopulation and monitor tissue stability. High-risk patients, such as smokers or those with uncontrolled diabetes, may require more frequent follow-up, while low-risk patients with excellent home care might be seen at longer intervals. These visits typically include professional cleaning, pocket assessment and reinforcement of home-care techniques.

The two offices in North Haven and Cromwell coordinate ongoing care to ensure patients receive consistent monitoring and timely intervention when needed. Regular maintenance is the most reliable way to prevent recurrence, detect new areas of concern early and protect long-term results. Your dental team will set a schedule that balances clinical need with practical considerations for your health.

When detected and treated appropriately, periodontal therapy can halt disease progression and stabilize many teeth that might otherwise be lost, preserving function and appearance. For dental implants, a similar focus on preventing and treating peri-implant inflammation is critical because implants also rely on healthy surrounding soft tissue and bone. Maintenance and early intervention are essential for both natural teeth and implants to reduce the risk of attachment loss.

Long-term success depends on disease severity at presentation, the chosen treatment approach and the patient’s commitment to home care and recall visits. In some cases, restorative or prosthetic collaboration may be necessary to optimize masticatory function and esthetics after periodontal stabilization. Discussing goals and expectations with your dental team helps ensure a coordinated plan that prioritizes preservation and long-term oral health.