General Dentistry

Periodontal Disease

Advanced gum disease is the leading cause of adult tooth loss. With the right plan, we can stop it — and often reverse the damage that's still reversible.

Visit time60–90 min
Frequency2–4 visits
AnesthesiaLocal
InsuranceUsually covered
Hero photo · periodontal disease
Overview

What it actually is.

Periodontal (or periodontitis) disease is gum disease that has progressed past gingivitis to damage the bone holding your teeth in place. It is slow, painless until late stages, and the most common reason adults lose teeth.

Treatment focuses on stopping the active infection, removing bacterial deposits below the gum line, and putting you on a maintenance schedule that prevents recurrence.

Once bone is lost, it doesn't come back on its own. Stopping the disease now preserves what's still healthy.

What to Expect

How the visit goes.

Every patient gets the same unhurried, step-by-step process. No surprises, no fine print — you know what's happening before it happens.

01 Step 01

Periodontal charting

We measure pocket depth around every tooth — anything over 4mm is a sign of active disease.

02 Step 02

Scaling & root planing

Deep cleaning under local anesthesia removes hardened tartar from root surfaces below the gumline.

03 Step 03

Antimicrobial therapy

Localized antibiotics or rinses may be applied to deeper pockets that need extra help to heal.

04 Step 04

Periodontal maintenance

Cleanings every 3–4 months keep the disease from coming back — this is the long-term key to success.

Why It Matters

What you get out of it.

The benefits aren't theoretical. Here's what changes for you in the weeks and months after treatment.

01

Keep your teeth

Untreated periodontitis leads to tooth loss. Treatment is the difference between losing teeth and keeping them.

02

Reduce inflammation

Chronic gum infection contributes to inflammation throughout the body — treatment lowers that overall burden.

03

Save the bone

Once gone, jawbone does not regrow naturally. Stopping the disease early preserves what bone you still have.

04

Predictable maintenance

Once treated, periodontal disease is manageable with regular care — most patients maintain stable health for decades.

Insurance & Pricing

Insurance covers most periodontal care.

Deep cleaning, scaling, and root planing are routinely covered by dental insurance. Our Periodontal Membership Plan ($800/year) is purpose-built for patients who need active gum care.

Questions

The things everyone asks.

How is this different from gingivitis?
Gingivitis affects only the gums and is fully reversible. Periodontitis has progressed to damage the bone — that damage can be stopped but not reversed without surgical intervention.
Will I need surgery?
Most cases respond well to non-surgical deep cleaning and excellent maintenance. Surgery is reserved for cases that do not respond — typically in patients with very deep pockets.
Is the deep cleaning painful?
The area is fully numbed before we begin. Some patients feel sensitivity for a few days afterward; over-the-counter pain relief is usually enough.
Related Services

Often paired with this.

Treatments that frequently come up alongside Periodontal Disease — explore what's relevant to your case.

Ready to begin?

Walk-ins welcome. Or call ahead for the shortest wait.

(469) 759-6964