- Maria Rhode, D.M.D.
- Vivien Mesina, D.M.D.
- Sara Siddiqui, D.M.D.
- Jared Levin, D.D.S.
Gum Disease Treatment
Gum disease is the leading cause of adult tooth loss, and nearly half of adults over 30 have some form of it - often without pain. At Imagine Advanced Dental Arts in Lawrenceville, NJ, we diagnose gum disease early, treat it with deep cleaning and soft-tissue laser therapy, and keep it controlled so you keep your teeth for life.
Signs of Gum Disease
- Gums that bleed when you brush or floss
- Red, swollen, or tender gums
- Persistent bad breath or a bad taste that brushing does not fix
- Gums pulling away from the teeth, making teeth look longer
- Teeth that feel loose or have shifted, or a bite that feels different
- Pus between the teeth and gums
How We Treat Gum Disease
Comprehensive periodontal exam
We measure the pocket depth around every tooth, check for bleeding and recession, and review digital X-rays for bone loss. This gives you a clear stage - gingivitis, early, moderate, or advanced periodontitis - and a plan to match.
Scaling and root planing (deep cleaning)
The workhorse of gum-disease treatment. Under local anesthesia, our hygienists remove plaque and hardened tartar from below the gumline and smooth the root surfaces so the gums can reattach.
Soft-tissue laser therapy
A dental laser removes infected tissue inside the pocket and kills bacteria with very little bleeding or discomfort, helping the gum heal tightly against the tooth. The same laser is used for gum recontouring and biopsies.
Periodontal maintenance
After active treatment, cleanings every three to four months keep bacteria from re-colonizing the pockets. This ongoing care is what keeps teeth for life once gum disease has been diagnosed.
Your Gums and Your Whole-Body Health
The inflammation of periodontal disease does not stay in the mouth. It is linked to heart disease, stroke, and poorly controlled diabetes, and diabetes in turn makes gum infection harder to control. That is why a periodontal check is part of every exam at Imagine Advanced Dental Arts, and why we coordinate with your physician when it helps. Read more in Dr. Rhode's articles on gum disease and systemic health and diabetes and oral health.
Healthy Gums Before Implants and Cosmetic Work
Stable gums are the foundation for everything else we do. Before dental implants, veneers, or orthodontics, we treat any active gum disease first; when bone has been lost, Dr. Maria Rhode performs bone grafting in-house. Teeth that cannot be saved are removed gently with a plan already in place for their replacement.
Periodontal Care in Lawrenceville, Princeton, and Mercer County
Bleeding gums are worth a visit, not a wait. Our Princeton Pike office serves Lawrenceville, Princeton, Ewing, Hamilton, Pennington, and West Windsor with early-morning and evening appointments. Contact Imagine Advanced Dental Arts or call 609-896-0589 to schedule a periodontal exam.
FAQs
+What is the difference between gingivitis and periodontitis?
Gingivitis is early, reversible gum inflammation - red, bleeding gums with no bone loss. Periodontitis is the advanced stage where infection has destroyed some of the bone and ligament holding the teeth. At Imagine Advanced Dental Arts a periodontal exam tells you which stage you are in.
+How is gum disease treated at Imagine Advanced Dental Arts?
Imagine Advanced Dental Arts in Lawrenceville, NJ treats gum disease with a comprehensive periodontal exam, scaling and root planing under local anesthesia, soft-tissue laser therapy to disinfect the pockets, and periodontal maintenance cleanings every three to four months.
+Can gum disease be cured?
Gingivitis can be fully reversed. Periodontitis cannot be cured, but at Imagine Advanced Dental Arts it can be stopped and controlled with deep cleaning, laser therapy, and regular maintenance, so you keep your teeth.
+Does a deep cleaning hurt?
No. Scaling and root planing at Imagine Advanced Dental Arts is done with local anesthesia, one side of the mouth per visit, and nitrous oxide is available. Gums may be tender for a day or two afterward.
+Is gum disease linked to heart disease or diabetes?
Yes - research links periodontal bacteria and inflammation to heart disease, stroke, and poorly controlled diabetes, and diabetes in turn makes gum disease worse. Treating your gums at Imagine Advanced Dental Arts is part of protecting your overall health.
+Why do my gums bleed when I floss?
Bleeding is the earliest sign of gum inflammation, not a reason to stop flossing. If bleeding continues after two weeks of daily brushing and flossing, schedule a periodontal exam at Imagine Advanced Dental Arts.
+Can gum disease cause bad breath?
Chronic bad breath is one of the most common signs of gum disease, because bacteria below the gumline release sulfur compounds. Treating the infection at Imagine Advanced Dental Arts usually resolves it.
+What if I have receding gums?
Recession exposes root surfaces and can be caused by gum disease, aggressive brushing, or clenching. Imagine Advanced Dental Arts treats the cause, and can use the soft-tissue laser for recontouring; for significant recession we discuss grafting options.
+Can I still get dental implants if I have gum disease?
Gum disease must be treated and stable first, because the same bacteria can attack implants. Imagine Advanced Dental Arts treats the gums, then plans implants with a CBCT 3D scan and, if bone has been lost, in-house bone grafting.
+Do you treat gum disease with biocompatible methods?
Yes. Imagine Advanced Dental Arts is an affiliate of the Holistic Dental Association, uses a soft-tissue laser rather than cutting where possible, and avoids amalgam and other materials our patients ask us not to use.
Bleeding gums? Let's check.
A periodontal exam takes one visit and tells you exactly where you stand.