• 7700 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite C, Bethesda, MD 20814
Kary Dental logo
Request Appointment
Kary Dental logo
Book Now

Periodontal Treatment

Return to Our Services

Healthy gums for a healthy smile

Gum disease (periodontal disease) is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults, but it doesn’t have to be. We screen for gingivitis and periodontitis at every routine exam and offer a full range of in-house treatments to stop the disease, reduce infection, and restore healthy gums. Early detection and a clear, personalized plan are the keys to keeping your natural teeth.

How gum disease develops

Periodontal disease starts when plaque and bacteria build up along the gumline, causing inflammation and, over time, loss of the tissues that anchor your teeth. Early on (gingivitis), signs can be subtle, red or swollen gums, bleeding when you brush, or persistent bad breath. If it advances to periodontitis, gum pockets deepen and bone loss can follow, making teeth loose and harder to save.

Smoking, uncontrolled diabetes, certain medications, and genetics can all make gum disease more aggressive. Because it is often painless, regular professional evaluation, with visual exams, gentle probing, and imaging when needed, is essential to catch it before permanent damage occurs.

Non-surgical and laser-assisted care

Scaling and root planing, a deep cleaning above and below the gumline, is the first line of defense. Performed with local anesthesia as needed, it removes plaque and hardened deposits and smooths root surfaces so bacteria have fewer places to hide and the gums can reattach. Many patients see measurable improvement with this therapy alone, especially when paired with better daily hygiene.

Laser-assisted treatment can complement traditional therapy by targeting bacteria and diseased tissue precisely, often with less bleeding, swelling, and discomfort. After active treatment, periodontal maintenance visits, more frequent than standard cleanings, monitor pocket depths, remove new buildup, and keep the disease from returning.

Surgical options when structure needs restoring

When gum recession exposes roots or there is too little tissue to support a healthy margin, soft tissue grafting can restore lost gum tissue, reduce sensitivity, and improve the long-term outlook for teeth and dental work. Functional crown lengthening recontours gum (and sometimes bone) to expose more tooth structure when a restoration needs it for a durable, hygienic fit.

Surgery is recommended only after conservative approaches are considered, and we walk through alternatives, expected recovery, and aftercare so you can decide with confidence.

Prevention and follow-up

Treatment is only half the picture. We coach you on effective daily habits, brushing technique, cleaning between teeth, and antimicrobial rinses when indicated, because small, consistent routines have the biggest impact on keeping disease from progressing.

Since gum health is linked to overall health, we coordinate with your physician when conditions like diabetes or complex medications are involved. Regular periodontal evaluations and a maintenance schedule tailored to your risk keep results stable and protect your natural teeth for the long term.

Periodontal treatment, Kary Dental

Our Office

Visit Us Online

Facebook-f Instagram Google Rss

Frequently Asked Questions

What is periodontal disease?

Periodontal disease, commonly called gum disease, is an inflammatory condition that affects the tissues and bone supporting the teeth. It begins when harmful bacteria in dental plaque and tartar trigger inflammation of the gingiva and deeper periodontal structures. If left unchecked, the condition can progress from reversible gingivitis to destructive periodontitis.

Gum disease affects the periodontium, which includes the gums, periodontal ligament and the underlying bone that anchors teeth. Early stages often cause minimal discomfort, so routine exams are important to detect problems before irreversible damage occurs. Timely diagnosis and management help preserve oral function and long-term tooth support.
Common signs of periodontal disease include red, swollen or tender gums, bleeding when brushing or flossing, and persistent bad breath or an unpleasant taste. Patients may also notice gum recession, exposed root surfaces, increasing gaps between teeth, or a change in how partial dentures fit. In more advanced cases, teeth can feel loose or painful when biting.

Because early gum disease can be painless, many people do not recognize symptoms right away and assume mild bleeding is normal. Any persistent change in gum color, texture, or sensitivity should prompt a periodontal evaluation. Detecting symptoms early increases the likelihood that conservative therapies will be successful.
Diagnosis begins with a comprehensive clinical exam that includes periodontal probing to measure pocket depths, assessment of bleeding on probing, and evaluation of gum recession. Dental radiographs are used to check for bone loss around teeth, and a review of medical and dental history helps identify risk factors such as smoking or diabetes. These objective measures allow the dental team to stage the disease and tailor a treatment plan.

In many cases the clinician will perform full periodontal charting to document pocket depths, furcation involvement and tooth mobility for future comparison. Laboratory tests or microbial sampling are used selectively when treatment-resistant infections or unusual presentations occur. If specialized care is required, patients may be referred to a periodontist for advanced assessment.
The first line of therapy for most patients is thorough mechanical cleaning below the gumline, often referred to as scaling and root planing, which removes plaque and calculus from root surfaces. Adjunctive therapies can include localized antimicrobial agents placed in periodontal pockets, systemic antibiotics in select cases, and antiseptic rinses to reduce bacterial load. These conservative measures aim to resolve inflammation and encourage reattachment of the gum to the tooth.

Successful non-surgical care also depends on improved home oral hygiene and regular professional maintenance visits to control bacterial reaccumulation. In some practices, lasers or other technologies are used as adjuncts to reduce pocket depths and promote tissue healing when appropriate. When conservative approaches do not achieve periodontal stability, surgical options may be discussed.
Surgery is typically recommended when deep periodontal pockets persist despite thorough non-surgical therapy, when there is significant bone loss, or when anatomical factors prevent adequate cleaning and healing. The primary goals of periodontal surgery are to remove inaccessible bacterial deposits, reduce pocket depths, recontour damaged tissues, and, when possible, regenerate lost bone and connective tissue. Indications for surgery are based on pocket depth, attachment loss and the response to prior treatment.

Common surgical procedures include flap surgery to access and clean root surfaces, bone grafting to restore lost bone volume, and guided tissue regeneration to encourage new attachment of periodontal tissues. Procedures are performed under local anesthesia and may involve sutures and a period of postoperative care to monitor healing. With appropriate follow-up and improved oral hygiene, surgical intervention can stabilize the condition and reduce the risk of future tooth loss.
Periodontal disease is primarily an oral infection, but research has established links between gum inflammation and systemic health conditions such as cardiovascular disease, stroke, diabetes and respiratory illnesses. Chronic periodontal inflammation releases bacteria and inflammatory mediators into the bloodstream, which can contribute to systemic inflammatory burden. Although periodontal treatment alone does not cure systemic disease, managing oral inflammation can be an important component of comprehensive health care.

Because of these associations, clinicians often emphasize coordinated care with a patient’s primary physician, especially for individuals with diabetes or heart disease. Addressing periodontal infection and improving oral hygiene may help reduce systemic inflammation and support better management of chronic medical conditions. Regular dental exams and timely periodontal care therefore have benefits that extend beyond the mouth.
Yes. Healthy gums and adequate bone support are essential prerequisites for predictable dental implant placement and long-term success. Active periodontal infection must be controlled before placing implants to reduce the risk of early failure and peri-implantitis. When bone volume is deficient, procedures such as bone grafting or ridge augmentation may be performed to create a stable foundation for implants.

Part of implant preparation includes eliminating pockets of infection, establishing a maintenance regimen, and ensuring the patient understands the importance of ongoing periodontal care around implants. After implant placement, routine monitoring and professional cleanings are critical to detect and manage any soft-tissue inflammation early. Working closely with the restorative team helps integrate periodontal health into the overall implant treatment plan.
Effective prevention begins with consistent home oral hygiene: brush twice daily with a fluoridated toothpaste, clean between teeth daily with floss or interdental brushes, and use an antiseptic rinse if recommended by the clinician. Tobacco cessation, controlling systemic conditions such as diabetes, and maintaining a balanced diet that supports immune health also reduce periodontal risk. Avoiding habits that increase plaque buildup, such as frequent snacking on sugary foods, helps protect gum health.

Regular professional care is a cornerstone of prevention, including routine dental exams and cleanings and periodic periodontal screening for early signs of disease. Patients with higher risk profiles may require more frequent maintenance visits and tailored hygiene instructions. Early detection and consistent preventive habits dramatically lower the chance that gingivitis will progress to destructive periodontitis.