During your consultation, Drs. Shumaker, Allen, and Sands will evaluate the health of your teeth and gums using X-rays and the latest dental technology. These scans will allow our team to ensure that gum disease has not affected the underlying bone structure. In most cases, we will recommend a conservative scaling and root planing (SRP) treatment, but for cases that require more aggressive treatment, we can provide periodontal surgery to restore your oral health.

Before beginning your procedure, we may numb the gums and surrounding tissue with a topical anesthetic. We can also provide oral conscious sedation and intravenous (IV) sedation for patients who struggle with dental anxiety or phobia. Once you are comfortable, a member of our team will use a dental instrument known as a scaler to remove plaque buildup from the base of the tooth, in between teeth, and below the gum line. We will then use a root planing device to smooth any rough edges along the base of the tooth and root surface that prevent your gums from snuggly fitting around the tooth. This step also helps to prevent further bacteria from getting trapped below the gum line in the future. In some cases, we will use our advanced Laser Assisted New Attachment Procedure (LANAP®) technology to complete these steps using state-of-the-art lasers.

Once your teeth and gums have been adequately cleaned, we may apply an antibiotic gel along the treatment area to eliminate any further bacteria. Four to eight weeks after your treatment, you may require a follow-up visit so our doctors can evaluate your gum health and determine whether any further treatment is necessary.