periodontal care in Alexandria, MN
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Did you know…
Healthy gum pockets should be between 1 to 3 mm.
The gum disease treatment process
Consultation
Dr. Haack will call you in for a consultation so he can perform an oral exam and take x-rays to rule out other oral health problems.
Probe
To check if you have gum disease, we will measure the depths of your gum pockets with a probe. This will tell us if you have gingivitis or periodontitis.
Scaling
After numbing your mouth, a scaler is used to scrape away plaque and tartar below the gum line.
Root Planing
Planing is performed on the tooth’s root to prevent future bacteria from collecting and to make it easier to reattach the gums.
Checkup
After the deep cleaning is done, we will ask you to come back to check if you still have active gum disease and require additional treatment.
Periodontal Services Offered
Deep Cleaning
A deep cleaning is a more thorough cleaning than a traditional prophylaxis cleaning which only involves scaling above the gum line as well as polishing the teeth. In a deep cleaning, we numb your mouth with anesthetic to prevent discomfort and because the cleaning takes about 2 hours, it can be split into two appointments or done in one long appointment.
We will scale beneath the gum line to remove plaque and tartar deposits from deep gum pockets. Then, root planing smooths out the tooth roots so that the receded gums can be reattached. This also prevents future bacteria collection.
Patients with periodontitis are recommended to return for regular deep cleanings to maintain their good oral health and prevent recurring gum disease.
Did you know…
Your body produces inflammation in the gums to fight off the infection, but this worsens gum pocket depths and traps even more plaque and tartar.
Have questions about Periodontal Care? Find answers here.
Is gum disease reversible?
Yes, gum disease is reversible, but only in the earliest stage. The early stage of gum disease is called gingivitis and is when no irreversible damage occurs to the gums and jawbone. However, since symptoms are typically mild, many patients don’t realize they have it until it becomes too late.
Why is it important to get periodontal care?
Left untreated, gum disease will advance into periodontitis, which causes irreversible bone loss and soft tissue damage. This can lead to loose teeth and severely receded gums. In severe cases, patients can lose teeth. Gum disease is also preventable with good oral hygiene.
Did you know…
Gum pockets that are deeper than 4mm indicate periodontitis.