Our Non-Surgical
Periodontal Therapy
Periodontal disease, better known as gum disease, is one of the most common diseases in the entire world. In fact, research has shown that nearly 80% of the population is currently dealing with a mild form of the infection. Fortunately, when caught early, Dr. Fatima Robertson can usually treat it using less invasive, non-surgical procedures that leave a smile feeling healthy, strong, and looking beautiful. If red, swollen, or tender gums that bleed often after cleaning are common for you, be sure to contact us today to get the attention that you need.
Periodontal Maintenance Ensure Prime Oral Health
After an initial periodontal treatment has been completed, it’s then necessary to take extra steps to ensure that reinfection does not occur. Fortunately, this typically only consists of a patient coming to see us a few times a year for a brief exam and preventive cleaning. It’s very similar to your regular dental checkups, except we’ll mostly be focused on your gums to ensure your sustained oral health.
Periodontal maintenance enables Dr. Fatima Robertson and our team to make sure that once we have gotten your gum disease under control, it stays that way. When you develop gum disease, there actually is no complete cure, but it can be managed to the point that it can’t harm or affect your smile in any way. After completing your initial periodontal treatment, non-surgical or surgical, you’ll be invited back to our office a few times a year for maintenance. This will consist of:
• An exam to look at the state of your gums and teeth
• An exam of any preexisting dental work you have
• Oral cancer screening
• A periodontal cleaning (similar to a regular dental cleaning but focused on the gums)
• Oral hygiene recommendations
SCALING & ROOT PLANING
Protect Your Gums
Scaling and root planing, sometimes collectively known as a deep cleaning, are usually our first line of defense when it comes to treating and controlling early-stage periodontal disease, also known as gingivitis. An ultrasonic cleaner will be used to break up and clear away any plaque or calculus (hardened plaque) located around and under your gum line, and then the rough surfaces of your teeth’s roots will be gently smoothed out. This will lessen your chances of redeveloping serious gum disease in the future.
There are two distinct kinds of periodontal disease. The more mild form is called gingivitis, and the more advanced stage it called periodontitis. We, along with your general dentist, will try to catch your gum disease as quickly as possible in order to minimize the harm to your smile and enable us to help you with more conservative procedures. Chief among them will be a scaling and root planing (SRP) treatment.
SRP is sometimes also known as a deep cleaning, and this will be used as the first line of defense against your periodontal disease.
For scaling, Dr. Robertson or a member of our staff will use special tools to break up and clear away the plaque and calculus (hardened plaque) deposits located around your gum line, and with root planing, we’ll gently smooth out the rough surfaces of your teeth’s roots. This will make plaque less likely to become trapped on them and cause gum disease in the future.
A complete SRP treatment can usually be completed over the course of a few appointments, and your mouth will be numbed to ensure your comfort throughout.
If you are experiencing red, swollen, or tender gums that bleed easily, please contact us as soon as you can to get the attention you need. If we’re able to treat your periodontal disease soon enough, a deep cleaning may be all we need to fully restore your smile.
Oral Cancer Screenings
Oral cancer isn’t talked about often, but it actually claims one life every hour of every day. Fortunately, it is very treatable when detected early, which is why most oral healthcare professionals recommend that everyone should have at least one screening each year (even those that don’t use tobacco or drink excessively). During a screening with Dr. Robertson, she will examine your lips, gums, tongue, cheeks, throat, mouth, and face for any lesions, sores, or growths, and should she discover something, she can help you take quick and appropriate action.
This year alone, nearly 50,000 people will be diagnosed with oral cancer, and sadly, many will not survive the next five years because the disease wasn’t discovered until it was quite advanced. Early detection is essential to the successful treatment of oral cancer, which is why Dr. Fatima Robertson will perform one every time you come to our practice. It only takes a couple of minutes, but it could literally be the couple of minutes that saves your life.
Signs of Oral Cancer
Be sure to schedule a screening with us if you notice any of the following symptoms:
• A red or white patch in your mouth that doesn’t go away
• A rough or scaled piece of tissue in your mouth
• A sore that bleeds easily or does not heal after two weeks
• A chronic sore throat or hoarseness
• Newly discovered asymmetry in the face
• Persistent pain or discomfort in the mouth and oral tissues