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Periodontal Therapy – Millersville, MD

Keep Your Smile Safe with Periodontal Therapy

Do you have red, tender, or puffy gums that tend to bleed whenever you brush your teeth? If so, you may be suffering from periodontal disease, better known as gum disease. This is one of the most common and damaging dental problems in the entire world, but thanks to our in-house professional, Dr. Vy Tran, you can trust us to keep your smile well protected. We’ll screen your gums at every appointment, and should we see any signs of this infection, Dr. Tran will be able to take care of it in our Millersville, MD dental office. If any of the symptoms above sound familiar, be sure to contact us today to get the treatment you need.

Woman sharing healthy smile after periodontal therapy

Why Choose Transcendent Smiles for Periodontal Therapy?

Scaling & Root Planing

Scaling and root planing, sometimes collectively known as a “deep cleaning,” allows our team to attack periodontal disease right at its source. For scaling, an ultrasonic cleaner will be used to break up and clear away the harmful plaque and tartar that has built up around your gums, and then root planing will be used to smooth out the rough surfaces of your tooth roots. This will make plaque much less likely to gather on them in the future, which will drastically lower your chances of redeveloping periodontal disease.

Patient receiving scaling and root planing treatment

Do You Need Scaling & Root Planing?

Woman with gum irritation

To find out if scaling and root planing is ideal for you, Dr. Tran needs to complete an examination of your mouth. He will likely capture X-rays to collect as much information as possible. Depending on the condition of your gums, the depth of your gum pockets and the progression of your gum disease, he may recommend gum disease treatment

The Process of Scaling & Root Planing

Illustration of scaling and root planing

A complete scaling and root planing treatment can usually be completed over the course of a few visits, though treatment length is different from patient to patient. Nonetheless, Dr. Tran will lightly numb the area meant to be cleaned to ensure you are comfortable the entire time. The scaling portion focuses on removing the plaque and tartar that sit beneath the gumline along the root. For the root planing portion of the procedure, Dr. Tran will smooth down the roots of the teeth beneath the gumline. This will help the gum tissue reattach to the teeth and promote healing. After it has been completed, you’ll be advised to come see us more often for regular dental cleanings to help protect you from reinfection.

Aftercare Tips for Scaling & Root Planing

Woman brushing her teeth

It’s normal for the gums to feel sensitive and sore following your treatment. There may also be some inflammation. This is temporary and should resolve itself within a few weeks if you take all of the right steps. Here’s how you can heal quickly and efficiently:

  • Brush twice a day using a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoridated toothpaste.
  • Rinse your mouth with salt water after meals to prevent irritation.
  • Floss thoroughly every day.
  • Stick to a soft food diet for 48 hours following your treatment.
  • Avoid foods and drinks that are spicy, acidic, hot.
  • Refrain from intense physical activity after your treatment.

Antibiotic Therapy

Following your deep cleaning procedure, we want to make sure that your gum tissue is not only getting the attention it needs to stay healthy, but does not become reinfected in between dental appointments. To accomplish this, we provide an antibiotic therapy that sits in the deep pockets of gum tissue that have formed as a result of your gum disease. Over time, this antibiotic will be released into the gums and dissolve on its own, promoting additional healing inside the mouth.

Woman receiving antibiotic therapy for gum disease

Chao Pinhole Surgical Technique

When you’re looking for a non-invasive gum rejuvenation treatment to treat your receding gums, look no further than the Chao Pinhole Technique! This suture-free, scalpel-free treatment uses specialized dental instruments to loosen and guide gum tissue to receded parts of teeth. To do this, a tiny needle is used to make a small hole in the gums, giving Dr. Tran the ability to cover exposed roots in your smile and reduce tooth and gum sensitivity along the way.

Patient receiving chao pinhole surgical technique treatment

Gum & Bone Grafting

Because we have an in-house periodontist, we’re able to provide a number of specialty procedures that you won’t find at your typical general dental office. With a gum graft, Dr. Tran can help reverse one of the most common symptoms of periodontal disease: gum recession. This can affect both the health and appearance of the smile, but by using your own tissue or donated tissue, Dr. Tran can make sure your smile looks great and stays protected for years to come.

And, for patients who are interested in getting dental implants to replace their missing teeth, she can also perform what is called a bone graft, in which a portion of a patient’s jaw is strengthened so it can safely support the posts. This can be done right after you have a weakened tooth removed or have been missing teeth for a long time. For many patients, it’s their first step to reclaiming their complete smile.

Woman sharing healthy smile after gum and bone grafting
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