Is Teeth Whitening Safe?
A bright smile can make a big difference in how you look and feel. White teeth give the impression of good health and confidence whether
Gum Disease Treatments
Gum disease is one of the main causes of tooth loss, and can even strain your general health. Our conservative approach to gum disease treatment is a safe and effective way to protect your smile.
Gum Disease Treatments in Santa Rosa
A Beautiful Smile Starts with a Strong Foundation
Your gums are part of the support system that holds your teeth in place. Keeping them healthy with advanced gum disease treatments in Santa Rosa is the foundation of a lifetime of great oral health.
Advanced Gum Disease Treatments
We use advanced technology and up-to-date techniques to keep your gums healthy without unnecessary discomfort.
Long-Term Solutions for Lasting Smiles
Treating gum disease isn’t a procedure, it’s a process. Our team provides comprehensive care and will stick with you to ensure your smile stays healthy and strong for years to come.
What Is Gum Disease?
Gum disease is a progressive condition that affects the gum tissue, ligaments, and bone sockets that hold your teeth in place. In its early stages, gum disease manifests as gingivitis, which is completely reversible if it’s treated promptly. As it progresses, gum disease can damage the ligaments and bone sockets surrounding your tooth roots and become periodontitis, also called periodontal disease. Our team is proud to provide safe, effective, minimally-invasive gum disease treatments in Santa Rosa to stop the problem from progressing and helping to restore your smile to its full strength.
What Are the Warning Signs of Gum Disease?
Gum disease can progress for a long time before it causes permanent damage. Unfortunately, many people ignore the early warning signs. Here are a few things to look for:
- Gums that look red between the teeth or along the gum line
- Bleeding when you brush or floss
- Persistent bad breath or bad tastes in your mouth
- Swollen or enlarged gums
- Gums that look rounded between the teeth
- Gum recession
- Loose teeth or changes to your bite
- Tenderness or discomfort when you bite or chew
- Pus that comes from under the gums
Many times, your dental team may notice signs of gum disease or gingivitis before you do! That’s why it’s so important to keep up with regular dental cleanings and check-ups. For example, we may notice changes to the bone level on your check-up X-rays or increasing pocket depth when we measure your gums. If it’s been a while since your last cleaning, get in touch to schedule a visit!
Our Gum Disease Treatments in Santa Rosa
We’re proud to offer comprehensive, minimally-invasive care, including gum disease treatments. We also partner with an expert periodontist near you in Santa Rosa for advanced treatments when necessary, so you’ll always be in the best possible hands with our team. Your gum disease treatment plan may include any of the following:
Non-Surgical Root Debridement
In almost all cases, bacterial build-up is the root cause of gum disease. This buildup can be plaque, which is a soft, sticky, gel-like substance, or it can harden into tartar (called calculus in dentistry). When tartar builds up under the gums, it creates rough or sharp areas that can cause more damage to the gums and other structures.
Root debridement is a conservative, non-surgical way to thoroughly remove bacteria and tartar from the root surfaces to allow the gum tissue to heal. We do this by numbing the area for your comfort and then using ultrasonic scalers to gently break up the deposits and flush them out of the gum pocket.
By smoothing the root surface, we make it harder for new bacteria to attach to the root surface, improving your gum health over time. This is often the first step in a more involved periodontal disease treatment plan.
Laser Gum Disease Treatment
As part of your root debridement, we may also recommend laser gum disease treatment. This involves inserting a very thin laser tip into the gum pocket and using a specialized wavelength to further clean and sterilize the tissues and kill any residual bacteria. This laser can also help the gums heal and create a seal that holds the gums against the newly cleaned root surface, helping to encourage healthier attachment.
Laser Gum Contouring
We can also use our diode soft tissue laser to reshape the gum tissue if it has become enlarged or overgrown, or to expose more of the tooth surface for restorations like crowns or fillings. These treatments can help to control gum disease and tooth decay by reducing areas where plaque may become trapped, and ensure that other treatments are as effective as possible.
We also use these treatments to improve the appearance of your smile by creating a balanced and healthy gum line, making laser gum treatments an important part of many cosmetic dentistry treatment plans.
What Does a Periodontist Do?
We’re proud to provide comprehensive care to protect your complete smile. In some cases, advanced periodontal disease may need more specialized care. A periodontist is a dentist with specialized training and expertise in caring for the support structures including the gums, ligaments, and bone sockets surrounding the tooth roots.
If you need periodontal surgery to restore your gum health long-term, we can connect you with an expert periodontist near you in the Santa Rosa area. We’ll still be the home base of your oral healthcare team, and provide continuous care during and after your treatment with the periodontist, and provide restorative treatments that periodontists don’t perform. That way, every part of your smile gets the best possible care from the right provider.
Protect Your Smile with Gum Disease Treatments in Santa Rosa!
Healthy gums are the foundation for a strong, beautiful smile. Whether you’ve been struggling with gum disease, or it’s been a long time since you last saw a dentist and you’re noticing signs that you might have gum disease, we’re here for you.
Take the first step toward a total reset on your oral health with our minimally-invasive gum disease treatments. If you need a periodontist in Santa Rosa, our team can connect you with the right specialist for your needs. Don’t let gum disease steal your smile!
Book an appointment today:
Meet the Santa Rosa Dentists Dedicated to Giving Your Smile the Personalized Care It Deserves
About Dr. Andrew McCormick:
Dr. Andrew T. McCormick is a native Californian originally from Monterey County.
In January 2010, he became an accredited member of AACD, one of 350 dentists worldwide, after extensive work to raise his level of expertise in cosmetic and rehabilitative dentistry.
Voted Best Dentist in Santa Rosa by Readers of Bohemian Magazine
1 of 350 Dentists Worldwide Accredited with the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry
About Dr. Austin Griffith:
Dr. Austin Griffith, DDS, is a highly skilled Santa Rosa dentist with over 13 years
practicing general dentistry. He has expertise in restorative dentistry, prosthodontics, oral surgery, TMD/TMJ treatment, and emergency care. He has also experience with Invisalign® clear aligners, implant restoration, and sleep dentistry. With a patient-centered approach, he prioritizes building trust, using humor to ease anxieties, and educating patients about their options.
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