Periodontal disease is an infection of the gums and the bone that holds your teeth in place, and it is one of the most common - and most preventable - reasons adults lose teeth. At Dental Professionals of Wellington, periodontal disease treatment is a core part of our general dentistry program because healthy gums are the foundation everything else in your mouth depends on. If you have searched for a dentist near you in Wellington because of bleeding, swollen, or receding gums, you have come to the right place.
Left unaddressed, gum disease progresses in stages, starting with gingivitis - a mild, reversible inflammation caused by plaque buildup along the gumline - and advancing into periodontitis, where the infection breaks down the ligaments and bone structures anchoring your teeth. Research has also linked untreated gum disease to heart disease, diabetes complications, and poor pregnancy outcomes, which is why we treat it as a whole-body health issue, not just a cosmetic concern. Our team uses modern diagnostic tools, measured pocket depths, and digital X-rays to catch the disease early and build a treatment plan that stops it in its tracks.
Gum disease is often called a "silent" condition because early stages produce few, if any, painful symptoms. That is exactly why so many Wellington patients do not realize anything is wrong until the disease has already progressed. Knowing what to watch for lets you catch problems while they are still simple and inexpensive to treat.
Nearly every adult benefits from a periodontal screening as part of a routine checkup, but certain patients face a meaningfully higher risk and should be particularly attentive to their gum health. Our hygienists measure pocket depths at every cleaning to track changes over time, which allows us to intervene before disease advances to a stage that threatens tooth stability.
Candidacy for active periodontal therapy is determined through a comprehensive periodontal exam, including probing depths, gum recession measurements, bleeding points, and X-ray evaluation of bone levels. If you fall into any of the categories below, it is worth scheduling a dedicated gum evaluation rather than waiting for your next cleaning.
No two cases of periodontal disease look the same, so we tailor treatment to the severity of infection, your bone health, and your long-term goals. Our approach starts conservative and only escalates to surgical options when deep cleaning alone cannot resolve the problem. Every plan begins with a full periodontal charting so you understand exactly where the disease stands before any treatment begins.
Treating gum disease is about far more than fresher breath. The condition of your gums directly affects your ability to chew comfortably, your confidence in your smile, and increasingly, research shows, your overall systemic health. Addressing periodontal disease now protects both your teeth and your broader well-being for years to come.
Periodontal treatment is highly effective, but keeping gum disease from returning requires consistent follow-through at home and regular monitoring in our office. Think of active treatment as resetting the baseline, while maintenance care is what keeps that baseline healthy year after year.
We know gum treatment can sound intimidating if you have never had it before. Here is exactly how the process unfolds from your first visit to the end of active care, so there are no surprises along the way.
We measure pocket depths at six points per tooth, check for bleeding and recession, and take digital X-rays to evaluate the bone supporting your teeth.
Based on the severity of disease found, we outline the specific therapies you need, expected number of visits, and what results you can realistically expect.
Using local anesthesia for comfort, we carefully remove plaque and tartar from below the gumline and smooth root surfaces to discourage bacteria from reattaching.
A few weeks after treatment, we re-measure pocket depths to confirm the gums are responding and healing as expected.
We transition you onto a maintenance schedule, typically every three to four months, to keep bacterial levels low and catch any recurrence immediately.
Dental Professionals of Wellington built its general dentistry program around prevention first, which means we invest real time in periodontal screening instead of rushing through routine cleanings. Patients choose us for gum disease treatment because we combine clinical thoroughness with a genuinely comfortable, low-pressure experience.
We numb the treatment area with local anesthesia before starting, so most patients feel pressure rather than pain. Some mild tenderness and sensitivity is common for a few days afterward, which typically responds well to over-the-counter pain relief.
Gingivitis, the earliest stage, is fully reversible with professional cleaning and good home care. Once the disease progresses to periodontitis, bone loss cannot be regrown, but treatment can stop the disease from advancing further and protect your remaining teeth.
Most patients complete scaling and root planing over two visits, treating one half of the mouth at a time. A follow-up re-evaluation appointment a few weeks later confirms healing before you transition to a periodontal maintenance schedule.
Most dental insurance plans provide coverage for scaling and root planing and periodontal maintenance, often with a diagnosis of gum disease on record. Our front desk team will review your specific plan and walk you through estimated costs before treatment begins.
Untreated gum disease continues to destroy the bone and tissue supporting your teeth, eventually leading to looseness and tooth loss. The infection can also contribute to broader health concerns, which is why early evaluation and treatment are so important.
Patients who have been treated for gum disease typically return every three to four months, compared to the standard six-month cleaning interval. This closer spacing keeps bacterial levels controlled and allows us to catch any recurrence early.
Dental Professionals of Wellington
Our Wellington team is accepting new patients - schedule your visit today and experience compassionate, modern dental care for the whole family.
561-721-2688