Periodontal Care
It’s natural to feel worried when the foundation of your smile—your gums and bone—are showing signs of problems. Many people experience early symptoms like slight bleeding or swelling but hesitate to seek treatment because of anxiety or uncertainty. However, addressing gum disease early is paramount; it prevents damage to the underlying bone that supports your teeth.
At Chevy Chase Digital Dentistry, periodontal care is managed with the same high-tech precision and expertise as all of our restorative dentistry services. Dr. Ghesmati’s comprehensive approach ensures that when we treat gum disease, we look beyond the localized infection to optimize your complete oral health. If you are noticing symptoms of gingivitis—or more advanced gum disease—we invite you to book a consultation today. Dr. Ghesmati will carefully evaluate your gums and develop a personalized treatment plan to restore optimal oral health.
Remove the bacteria and plaque causing inflammation and infection, restore gum health, and prevent further bone and tooth loss.
Non-surgical treatment options like scaling and root planing (deep cleaning), surgical treatments like pocket reduction, and personalized gum health maintenance plans.
Gum disease is a gateway to tooth loss as well as other health issues, including connections to conditions like heart disease and diabetes.
Diagnosed with advanced digital imaging and laser dentistry for gentle, highly effective removal of bacteria.
With proper ongoing oral hygiene and professional treatment, a healthy mouth can be maintained indefinitely.
Periodontal care is the specialized field of treatment focused on diagnosing, treating, and preventing periodontal disease, also known as gum disease. Gum disease is a progressive condition that begins when plaque, a sticky film of bacteria, hardens into tartar and irritates the gum tissue around the teeth. If left untreated, this chronic inflammation leads to periodontitis, which causes the gums to pull away from the tooth, creating pockets where more bacteria can thrive and ultimately destroy the underlying bone.
The overall purpose of periodontal care is to meticulously remove plaque and tartar below the gum line, stabilize the gum tissue, and support bone health.
Also referred to as a "deep cleaning," scaling and root planing is the most common form of nonsurgical treatment for early to moderate periodontitis. During the treatment, Dr. Ghesmati uses specialized instruments to remove plaque and tartar buildup from the tooth surfaces both above and below the gum line. Scaling focuses on removing these deposits, while root planing smooths the root surfaces, making it harder for future bacteria to adhere and easier for the gum tissue to reattach. A deep cleaning treatment is typically performed using local anesthesia to ensure your comfort.
Scaling and Root Planing Procedure Overview:
For more severe cases of periodontitis where significant bone loss has occurred, surgical intervention may be necessary to halt and reverse the progression of gum disease. Pocket reduction surgery, also known as flap surgery, involves gently folding back the gum tissue to allow for the complete removal of deep, disease-causing bacteria and hardened tartar from the root surfaces. Once the infection is cleared and any damaged bone is carefully reshaped, the gum tissue is secured back in its new position, effectively reducing the periodontal pocket depth. This process helps eliminate chronic infection, preventing further bone deterioration and making the area simple to clean with daily oral hygiene.
Pocket Reduction Procedure Overview:
Bone grafting is a surgical procedure used in advanced periodontal care to repair and regenerate bone lost due to severe periodontitis. During the procedure, small fragments of the patient's own bone, donated bone, or synthetic bone material are placed in areas where the disease has caused significant deterioration of the jawbone. The purpose of the graft is to stimulate the body's natural healing process, providing a framework for the regeneration of new bone and supporting structures, which helps stabilize loose teeth and prevent further tooth loss.
Bone Grafting Procedure Overview:
Periodontal care at Chevy Chase Digital Dentistry incorporates today's most advanced technologies to deliver precise, minimally invasive care. High-resolution diagnostic tools like the CBCT (dental CT scan) provide a detailed 3D map of the jawbone for accurate planning. During treatment, Dr. Ghesmati employs a dental microscope for highly magnified visualization of the soft tissue and root surfaces, ensuring optimal surgical precision. Our state-of-the-art LightWalker laser uses focused light energy to gently and effectively target bacteria deep within the gum pockets, sterilizing the area and promoting rapid healing.
Dr. Ghesmati's expertise in using these cutting-edge tools ensures unparalleled accuracy in both diagnosis and treatment, significantly minimizing patient discomfort and accelerating the recovery process.
Periodontal care focuses on halting the progression of gum disease and restoring the health of the supporting oral structures. Our treatment protocols are designed to comprehensively address gum disease at every stage, including:
Investing in your gum health care helps protect not just your comfort, your smile, and your health. Our comprehensive periodontal services are designed to:
Stop Disease Progression - Timely treatment of gum symptoms stops the relentless progression of periodontal disease. By meticulously removing plaque and tartar, we eliminate the source of infection and halt bone loss that can lead to loose teeth and tooth loss. If gum disease is present, treatment is key to maintaining a full, functional smile for life.
Enhance General Health - The mouth is intrinsically linked to the rest of the body. Periodontal disease causes constant, low-grade inflammation, which has been connected to various systemic diseases in a review by organizations like the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research. By eliminating the chronic bacterial load in your gums, you actively improve your overall systemic health. Periodontal care is especially important if you have a medical condition like diabetes.
Restore Comfort and Confidence - Periodontal treatments resolve uncomfortable symptoms such as painful, swollen gums, bleeding gums, and persistent chronic bad breath. Once the infection is cleared, your gum tissue becomes firm and pink again, allowing you to eat, speak, and smile with renewed confidence and comfort.
If you have noticed subtle changes in your oral health, such as occasional bleeding gums, persistent bad breath, or tenderness when flossing, we encourage you to schedule a consultation to have your gum health assessed. Dr. Ghesmati will carefully evaluate symptoms like red, swollen gums, gum recession, or active bone loss to develop a personalized treatment plan. Individuals with known risk factors, including a family history of heart disease or systemic medical conditions like diabetes, are encouraged to seek proactive assessment to receive a personalized gum health treatment plan.
We understand that seeking treatment for a gum issue can feel daunting. Dr. Ghesmati approaches every case with an emphasis on clear communication and patient comfort. She will use advanced digital imaging to provide an accurate diagnosis, clearly explain your options—from conservative nonsurgical treatment to surgical procedures—and build a personalized treatment plan to restore your oral and whole-body health.
Timely and expert periodontal care helps reestablish a robust, disease-free foundation for your entire mouth. Once the bacteria and tartar are removed, the gum tissue tightens around the teeth, reducing the depth of the pockets and eliminating the sources of chronic infection and bad breath. Patients will see an end to bleeding gums and a return to firm, healthy pink gums.
Restoring the health of your gums helps prevent further bone loss and stabilizes loose teeth, ultimately protecting your smile from tooth loss. With commitment to good oral hygiene and regular periodontal maintenance visits, these results are designed to last a lifetime, ensuring a strong, healthy mouth and smile.
When managing periodontal disease, you need a clinician whose approach is rooted in experience, precision, and expertise. Dr. Azin Ghesmati provides unparalleled periodontal care, combining deep knowledge with high-end digital dentistry. Her training ensures she addresses not just the localized disease but factors like your overall bite and systemic factors that contribute to gum recession and bone loss. We utilize advanced technologies like the LightWalker laser for highly effective, comfortable removal of bacteria and sterilization of the gums, leading to better treatment outcomes than traditional methods.
