Periodontal Disease Treatment

About Periodontal Disease Treatment

Periodontal disease, also known as gum disease or periodontitis, affects approximately 80% of adults in Japan.

It's an infection of the tissues supporting your teeth, caused by bacteria found in plaque. When these bacteria infect your gums, they can become swollen and bleed. If left untreated, the disease eventually destroys the tissues that hold your teeth in place, potentially leading to tooth loss.
Over time, plaque hardens into tartar (calculus), which cannot be removed by brushing alone. While tartar itself isn't the direct cause of gum disease, its presence makes it very difficult to remove surrounding plaque, often requiring professional dental treatment.

Periodontal Disease Treatment Process

The cause of periodontal disease varies from person to person, so before we begin treatment, we'll perform a thorough examination to determine the best approach for you.

1. Initial Examination This includes a periodontal pocket examination (measuring the pockets around your teeth), X-rays, and intraoral photographs. These help us understand the specific condition of your gums and teeth.
2. Plaque Removal (Initial Phase) Since plaque is the root cause of periodontal disease, the fundamental step in treatment is to remove plaque and make it harder for new plaque to form. Our dental hygienists will provide toothbrushing instruction and guidance on using interdental brushes and dental floss to help you improve your daily cleaning. We'll also remove easily accessible tartar and plaque, then re-examine your gums to confirm improvement. For those with mild gum inflammation, treatment often concludes at this stage.
3. Deep Cleaning (For Moderate to Severe Cases) For moderate to severe periodontal disease, tartar can be much deeper and harder to remove. In such cases, surgical treatment may be necessary. After administering a local anesthetic, we'll gently make an incision in the gum to access and remove the deeper tartar and plaque that have accumulated between the tooth and gum.
4. Ongoing Maintenance Completely eliminating all bacteria in the mouth is difficult, and periodontal disease can easily recur. Therefore, regular maintenance is essential even after your initial treatment is complete. Preventing recurrence requires not only your consistent plaque control at home but also regular check-ups and cleanings with your dentist and dental hygienist to maintain your oral health.