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Periodontal Disease Treatment

Gum disease treatment usually consists of a series of therapeutic deep cleanings known as scaling and root planings. Deep cleanings, as opposed to preventative cleanings every six months, are intended to focus on diseased areas and bacterial removal rather than prevention.

Special instruments are used during the deep cleaning to reach into the periodontal pockets around your teeth, to thoroughly remove soft and hard bacterial deposits. Depending on the severity of your infection, this procedure can take a couple of visits to complete. As a result, Dr. Rivera may advise cleaning one side of your mouth at a time and the other a week or so later, numbing your mouth at each visit. We'll usually have you back for a re-evaluation and lighter overall cleaning after the final deep cleaning.

Periodontal Surgery

Periodontal disease can be so severe that additional surgeries and techniques are required to save your teeth. When a thorough cleaning and physical removal of the bacteria is insufficient, some other types of therapies may be required including bone and gum grafts, gum flap surgery, and laser treatment.

Think You Have Gum Disease?

Don’t wait until it’s too late! Contact our Aldie dentist today to request an exam and periodontal evaluation to stop gum disease before it spreads.

Aldie Full Mouth Debridements

A full mouth debridement is a dental procedure that involves the removal of excessive plaque, tartar, and debris from the teeth. It is typically done as a preliminary step before a more comprehensive dental exam so that the underlying tooth and gum tissues can be evaluated for a proper diagnosis or periodontal screening. Usually, a debridement is necessary if there has been an extensive length of time between dental visits, extremely heavy amounts of tartar accumulation, or in situations where home care is inhibited.

A Secondary Cleaning Will Be Required

A debridement does not replace the need for a deep cleaning or traditional preventative cleaning. The goal of a full mouth debridement is to clean the teeth just enough to allow for an exam and proper diagnosis when specific areas might not otherwise be visible.

Full mouth debridements are typically performed by a dental hygienist or one of our Aldie dentists, and may involve the use of hand instruments or ultrasonic scalers to remove the buildup of plaque and tartar.

Because a debridement is not a comprehensive cleaning, there will still be remaining buildup on the teeth that need to be removed at a secondary appointment.

“Is it Covered by My Insurance?”

Due to the nature of full mouth debridements, they do not fall under the traditional category of preventative care like traditional cleanings do. As such, most insurance companies only cover them partially. But they are essential for proper diagnostics and treatment planning for anyone with extensive buildup or who has gone years—or decades—between trips to the dentist. Otherwise, our Aldie dentists are unable to assess the tooth and bone structures under these layers of debris to determine the health of your smile.

A Personalized Care Approach

Full mouth debridements are less common than traditional preventative cleanings and deep cleanings. If you require a debridement as part of your new patient comprehensive exam, we will discuss it with you during your visit. Each of our patients receives a personalized care plan prioritizing their oral health needs and personal concerns.

For more information about dental debridements in Aldie, contact us today.