Periodontal Disease Treatment in Washington, DC

A healthy mouth begins with healthy gums

What is periodontal disease?

If you are suffering from red, swollen, or tender gums, you may have periodontal disease. Left untreated, it may lead to inflammation, bleeding, and eventually recession. As the gums pull back from the crown of the tooth, the condition may worsen. Early diagnosis and treatment can preserve the health of your teeth and gums.

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The Stages of Periodontal Disease

Stage 1 – Gingivitis

Inflammation from bacteria may cause gums to be red, swell, and bleed. If you have any of these symptoms, our team recommends you seek treatment as soon as possible. A general dentist can usually intervene when the disease is in the gingivitis stage.

Stage 2 – Periodontitis

Left untreated, gingivitis can progress to the next stage. Periodontitis occurs when gums begin to separate from the teeth leading to infected pockets. Toxins from bacteria combined with the body’s response to the infection can erode supporting bone and tissue, eventually causing tooth loss. Treatment from a Periodontist is required at this stage.

It is possible to have gingivitis or periodontitis and not experience tooth pain or sensitivity. As a result, the symptoms of the disease can often be subtle until permanent damage occurs. Your general dentist can typically identify the degree to which your periodontal disease has progressed by measuring the pockets between the teeth and gums. Healthy readings are in the 1-3 mm range. Readings greater than that imply that the gum tissue is loosening its attachment around the teeth.

Repairing Damage from Periodontal Disease

Specialized periodontal procedures can remove the source of the disease and prevent problems from getting worse. Our team of specialists begin treatment with a minimally invasive, non-surgical approach to reduce the pockets. This frequently results in sufficient pocket reduction so no other treatment is necessary. In other cases, additional treatment is necessary using various techniques meant to reduce the pockets more definitively. However, periodontal disease is a life-long condition requiring regular maintenance with your Periodontist and your general dentist.

Expert Treatment

As Periodontal specialists, Drs. Puterman and Barth are nationally recognized specialists in the treatment of Periodontal Disease. During your initial consultation, we will thoroughly assess your situation and review available treatment options with you.

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Periodontal Laser Dentistry

To minimize patient discomfort and maximize treatment effectiveness, ImplantsDC utilizes the most advanced LANAP® laser technology available. The PerioLase® Nd:YAG laser delivers gentle pulses of light to effectively root out and kill the damaging bacteria hidden between teeth and gums. While traditional scalpel (blade) surgery can harm healthy gum tissue, LANAP® focuses precisely on the diseased tissue, leaving healthy tissue unharmed. The result is a more relaxing patient experience with faster healing.

Benefits of Laser Periodontal Dentistry

Precision

Our precision dental laser meticulously targets and removes harmful bacteria without causing damage to healthy gum tissue.

Fast Recovery

Since there is no cutting and little to no post-operative inflammation, our patients experience a much faster healing period and often do not need pain medication.

Minimal Gum Recession

Gum recession is commonly an unavoidable result of traditional surgery because the scalpel cuts away at the gum line. Laser gum surgery never harms healthy tissue, which means there is little to no gum recession.

Stronger Support

Laser gum surgery has been shown to generate new bone growth in the jaw, leading to added support for existing teeth.

Natural Healing Boost After Surgery

At ImplantsDC, patients experience a natural healing boost after implant surgery with the advanced technology of Leukocyte Platelet Rich Fibrin therapy (L-PRF™). It’s as painless as a routine blood test and 100% natural. Using a small sample of your blood, L-PRF™ bioactive clots are formed by separating and concentrating your platelets and helpful proteins. Much like a natural “band-aid”, these powerful L-PRF™ clots are then placed on your surgery site to boost the natural healing process.

Who We Are

What We Do

Periodontal Disease