Ident Specialists

The non surgical approach to periodontal therapy is always the place to start when treating periodontal disease. Periodontal disease is usually caused by the immune systems response to bacterial colonies which have settled on the surface of the teeth. Getting rid of these bacterial colonies, or making them small enough so they do not cause periodontal disease is the focus of periodontal treatment. By scaling off, and flushing out, the bacterial colonies, the immune systems response is reduced. If the immune response, also known as inflammation, is eliminated then so is periodontal disease. This is very important because untreated periodontal disease has two main long term consequences, tooth loss and contribution to atherosclerosis, or artery disease. Non-surgical periodontal treatment involves a clinician, either a dental hygienist or a dentist cleaning the plaque, tartar, and calculus off the enamel and root surfaces of the teeth. This is achieved by the use ultrasonic instruments and very fine hand scaling instruments. Either topical or local anesthesia is used to make the procedure more comfortable for the patient. The other critical part of the non-surgical approach is what the patient does at home. Home care is just as important as what is done in the dental chair. The daily cleaning of the teeth will keep the bacterial colonies from forming on the tooth surface. Brushing, flossing, proxa-brushes, rubber tips, gum stimulators, and topical disinfectant rinses are essential tools for maintaining a healthy mouth.

Amir Ahmadi DDS Diplomae, American Board of Periodontology