Because different areas of your mouth can be in different stages of gum disease, you may need several types of treatment.  Dr. Loewen may perform treatment in the office, or you may be referred to a periodontist.  The primary goals of all professional treatment are to promote reattachment of healthy gums to teeth, to reduce swelling, the depth of pockets, and the risk of infection, and to stop further damage.  But professional treatment is not a cure for gum disease: it needs your dedication.  Your dentist will urge you to begin a self-care program now, and continue it for the rest of your life.
 

Smoothing the Tooth

Your dentist or hygienist may smooth some teeth because a cleaner surface attracts less debris.  Scaling removes calculus and plaque from the root, and root planning smoothes and polished it.  These are usually performed at the same time, and may simply be called "deep cleaning."  You may have to visit the dentist's office several times for this treatment.

Smoothing the Gums

Your dentist may remove a small amount of infected gum tissue with a procedure called soft tissue curettage.  The gum is lifted up slightly, and a small amount of diseased inner gum lining is gently scraped out.  This treatment is often performed with scaling and root planning, and may require additional visits.

Surgical Treatment

Trimming the Gum

During a procedure called flap surgery, an incision is made, a "flap" is lifted to give Dr. Loewen visual access, and any calculus and infected gum are removed.  The gum is then replaced on the tooth near the original gumline.

Reshaping the Bone

Dr. Loewen may perform osseous (bone) surgery to reshape the bone.  The infected gum and bone are removed, then the gums are sutured below the original gumline to reduce areas that trap plaque.  Your tooth may look longer than it did before treatment.