The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that one out of every two adults in the nation has gum disease. Without the proper treatment, seemingly minor symptoms, like bleeding gums while brushing and flossing, can progress into drastically more serious ones, like chronic bad breath and gum recession. Dr. Upton’s goal is to diagnose and treat the issue as soon as possible with the hope of reversing the effects and restoring your smile back to its full health with gum disease treatment in Glendale, AZ.
Scaling and root planing is a two-step process that is typically completed within one or two appointments. During the first part, we’ll remove all plaque and tartar from the surface of your teeth, as far down as the pockets of the gums. Then, we’ll smooth out the surface of the roots, which will allow your gums to successfully reattach to your teeth and provide this vulnerable area with necessary protection from harmful bacteria.
In combination with scaling and root planing, we also typically offer antibiotic therapy, which we prescribe in the form of either a mouthwash or a pill. This will help your body fight off the oral infection and minimize the presence of harmful oral bacteria in your mouth. It’s important to complete the full course of treatment as prescribed, which we’ll walk you through during your appointment.
In addition to traditional scaling and root planing, we also offer laser periodontal therapy. Our soft tissue dental laser allows us to gently and painlessly remove hardened bacteria deposits on the roots of your teeth as well as remove severely damaged gum tissue. The device itself is extremely precise and painless. It immediately cauterizes the area on-contact, which minimizes bleeding and drastically reduces recovery time as well.