Periodontal Disease Treatment – Tucson, AZ
Don’t Overlook Swollen or
Bleeding Gums
The most common symptoms of early gum disease – such as red, swollen tissues, or bleeding whenever you brush or floss – are easy to dismiss as just minor issues that can be ignored. Unfortunately, leaving the problem alone for too long can easily lead to an advanced infection that can cause tooth loss and spread throughout your bloodstream. Get in touch with Dr. Lopez right away if your gum health is in doubt; the periodontal disease treatment at his Tucson, AZ dental office could very well save your smile.
Why Choose Jay R. Lopez, DDS, PC for Periodontal Disease Treatment?
- Highly Educated, Experienced Dentist
-
Wide Array of
In-House Treatments - Biolase Diode Laser for Pain-Free Care
Scaling & Root Planing
Some gum disease is too advanced for traditional cleaning techniques. With the scaling and root planing process, we’ll focus on removing bacteria and plaque buildup from the gums – specifically in the small spaces between the tissue and the teeth. Afterward, we’ll very gently smooth out the roots to create a surface that bacteria can’t cling to as easily, increasing the chances of the gum tissue successfully healing and reattaching to the teeth.
Laser Periodontal Therapy
A dental laser can quickly kill off much of the bacteria causing gum disease and even be used to remove infected tissue that is beyond treatment – all while causing a minimal amount of bleeding and discomfort. Our Biolase Diode Laser is so gentle that an anesthetic might not even be required; we can quickly and efficiently treat your infected gums while you stay completely relaxed.
Arestin® Antibiotic Therapy
Arestin microspheres can be placed in the periodontal pockets between the teeth and gums to fight bacteria that are hiding deep within the tissue. Over time, small amounts of medication will be released from the spheres, allowing it to continually fight the infection. We might prescribe Arestin therapy as a supplement to scaling and root planing or other periodontal treatments; this has been found to dramatically improve the mouth’s ability to heal in the weeks following therapy.
Saliva Testing
We can perform an OralDNA® MyPerioPath test to check for the harmful pathogens that lead to gum disease. A sample of your saliva is taken for examination. The results will tell us exactly what kind of bacteria is causing your gum disease. This is crucial for prescribing the correct form of antibiotics, as some medications may be more effective in some cases than others. This is also a useful tool for predicting how susceptible a patient might be to gum disease in the future.