Periodontics
Periodontal Care in San Clemente
Looking after the gums, bone and ligament that hold the teeth in place.
Periodontics is concerned with the structures around the tooth rather than the tooth itself – the gums, the bone and the periodontal ligament. Keeping those healthy is what keeps teeth where they are.
Dentistry for the whole household.
About Periodontics
Prevention, diagnosis and treatment
Periodontal care covers the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of the diseases that affect the supporting structures of the teeth. It matters because the damage is largely silent until it is advanced, and because untreated gum disease has been linked to wider health problems including heart disease and diabetes.
Assessment
How periodontal health is examined
A periodontal examination measures things a visual check cannot.
- Pocket depths The depth of the pockets around each tooth is measured and tracked over time.
- Signs of inflammation Gums are assessed for inflammation and for recession.
- Bone health X-rays are used to evaluate the bone supporting the teeth.
- Regular review Typically every six months, or as often as your own situation calls for.
The Conditions
Gingivitis and periodontitis
They are stages of the same disease, and the difference between them matters a great deal.
- Gingivitis The initial stage – redness, swelling and bleeding of the gums.
- Periodontitis If untreated, it progresses to severe gum and bone damage.
- Deep pockets Periodontitis creates deep pockets between the teeth and gums, which can lead to tooth loss.
- Wider health Untreated gum disease has been linked to heart disease and diabetes.
Treatment
How periodontal disease is treated
Treatment escalates only as far as it needs to, starting with the least invasive option.
- Scaling and root planing Non-surgical treatment that removes plaque and tartar from below the gum line.
- Antimicrobial treatment Antibiotics or antimicrobials may be prescribed to control bacterial infection.
- Surgical treatment In advanced cases, flap surgery, gum grafts and bone grafts repair and regenerate damaged tissue.
- Laser therapy A less invasive alternative among the treatment options.
- Maintenance Regular follow-up and a personalized maintenance plan, which is what makes results last.
Getting Started
Booking a periodontal assessment
If you have been told you have pockets, or your gums have receded, an assessment establishes where things actually stand. Talega Dental Group has treated families in San Clemente since 2003, and periodontal health is measured as part of a thorough examination rather than only when there is a complaint.
The short answer
Periodontal care is the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of disease affecting the structures that hold the teeth in place: the gums, the bone and the periodontal ligament. It starts with a periodontal examination that measures pocket depths, checks for inflammation and recession, and uses X-rays to evaluate the bone. Treatment escalates only as far as it needs to, from non-surgical scaling and root planing through to surgical grafting in advanced cases.
Common Questions
Periodontal Care FAQ
- What does periodontal care cover?
Periodontal care covers the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of diseases affecting the gums and the supporting structures of the teeth, including the bone and the periodontal ligament. It is concerned with the structures around the tooth rather than the tooth itself. Keeping those structures healthy is what keeps teeth in place, and the damage is largely silent until it is advanced.
- What is measured at a periodontal exam?
A periodontal exam measures the depth of the pockets around each tooth, checks the gums for signs of inflammation or recession, and uses X-rays to assess the bone that supports the teeth. Pocket depths are tracked over time, so changes can be seen from one visit to the next. These are things a visual check alone cannot measure.
- How often should I be seen?
Periodontal health is typically reviewed every six months, or more often if your own gum health calls for closer monitoring. The interval is set by your situation rather than by one rule for everyone. Regular review is what allows pocket depths and bone health to be tracked over time.
- What is the difference between gingivitis and periodontitis?
Gingivitis is the initial, reversible stage of gum disease, while periodontitis is the advanced stage that damages the gums and bone. Gingivitis shows as redness, swelling and bleeding of the gums and is reversible with treatment. Left untreated it can progress to periodontitis, which causes severe gum and bone damage and creates deep pockets between the teeth and gums that can lead to tooth loss.
- Is treatment always surgical?
No, treatment is not always surgical, and non-surgical scaling and root planing comes first. That treatment removes plaque and tartar from below the gum line, and antibiotics or antimicrobials may be prescribed to control infection. Surgical options such as flap surgery, gum grafts and bone grafts are for advanced cases, and laser therapy is a less invasive alternative among the options.
- Does gum disease affect the rest of my health?
Untreated gum disease has been linked to other health problems, including heart disease and diabetes. That link is part of why early treatment matters. Because the damage is largely silent until it is advanced, regular periodontal assessment helps catch it before it progresses.
Book a visit
Plan your visit
We accept new patients and offer walk-in emergency care.
Address
Phone
Office hours
Your dentist
Dr. Ben Meshkinfam, D.D.S.
University of the Pacific, D.D.S. · Post-doctorate at LAC+USC Medical Center
Insurance & financing
30 HMO and PPO plans accepted
Including Delta Dental, Cigna, UnitedHealthcare, Aetna, Guardian, MetLife and Humana. Estimates in writing before treatment.
