Today there are several ways in which dentists and periodontists are helping patients overcome periodontal disease. Old and new therapies used together often help dental professionals address the various factors that contribute to periodontitis.








To learn more about treatments, select a topic from the following list:

• Gum irrigation and ultrasonic therapy
  
• Scaling and root planing (SRP)
• Periostat^® plus SRP
  
• Antibacterial therapy
  
• Gum surgery

Gum Irrigation and Ultrasonic Therapy

GUM IRRIGATION

Dentists often use a strong stream of water to help wash plaque and bacteria off of teeth. This is done by directing the water so that it penetrates below the gum line. As the body responds to this pressure, the bond between tooth and gum is made more solid.

ULTRASONIC THERAPY

This procedure uses an instrument that directs ultrasonic vibrations through the gums and teeth. Similar to gum irrigation, this procedure strengthens tooth and gum stability and encourages your own immune cells to destroy harmful bacteria.

Scaling and Root Planing (SRP)

Scaling and root planing is a type of professional tooth cleaning. It removes plaque and tartar from the teeth and smoothes the root surfaces.

Periostat^® + SRP

Periodontitis is the end result of a complex interaction between the bacteria (or plaque) that accumulate on tooth surfaces and your own body’s efforts to fight this bacterial infection. When there are high levels of bacteria in the spaces between your teeth and gums, enzymes are released by your own body’s defense mechanism to fight the bacteria. These enzymes can destroy gum tissue and bone that support your teeth.

Periostat^® is the first medication that suppresses these enzymes, thereby reducing tissue damage. When used along with scaling and root planing (a professional tooth cleaning procedure), Periostat^® can help slow, stop, and sometimes reverse periodontal damage. Periostat^® has been approved by the FDA to be used along with scaling and root planing in the treatment of adult periodontitis.

Antibacterial Therapy

It is well established that many cases of periodontal disease are caused by bacteria. That’s why antibiotic therapy is widely used today to help eliminate these harmful bacteria. This treatment includes oral medication, locally applied antibiotics, such as ATRIDOX^® (doxycycline hyclate) 10%, and rinses that can help fight bacterial infection.

Gum Surgery

When periodontitis progresses deep enough in the gum and tooth, a specialist called a periodontal surgeon sometimes needs to perform surgery to repair the gum. He or she uses various surgical techniques to repair the damage. Surgery may be done on soft tissue or bone to help the healing process.