Periodontal (gums and surrounding soft tissue) diseases remain very common. The bone(in relation to the teeth) and gum tissue should fit snugly around your teeth. When you have periodontal disease, this supporting tissue and bone is destroyed, forming "pockets" around the teeth. Over time, these pockets become deeper, providing a larger space for bacteria to live. As bacteria develop around the teeth, they can accumulate and advance under the gum tissue. These deep pockets collect even more bacteria, resulting in further bone and tissue loss. Eventually, if too much bone is lost, the teeth will need to be extracted.

                   While early stages may be symptom-free, the impact on peoples’ lives of later stages is very serious. Periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory disease of bacterial origin that affects the supporting tissues around the teeth. In the early stages of gum infection (periodontitis), some patients are not aware of any problems. However, as the disease progresses, patients may complain of bleeding gums, awareness of a bad taste in their mouth and, in later stages, become aware of loose teeth. If periodontitis is not treated, it can result in both loss of teeth and function which can negatively impact a patient’s quality of life.

                   Gum infections begin with a colorless film called plaque that constantly forms on the teeth. If plaque is not removed regularly by tooth brushing and flossing, it hardens to create calculus. Calculus cannot be removed with a toothbrush; and the intervention of a dental professional becomes the obvious choice for the cleaning of the teeth.

                   Depending on the severity of the disease a wide range of treatments are provided, such as scaling and root planing (the cleaning of infected root surfaces), root surface debridement (the removal of damaged tissue), and regenerative procedures (the reversal of lost bone and tissue). When necessary, surgical procedures are performed for patients with severe gum disease. In patients with problems like overgrowth of gums, gum contouring treatment is performed.

                   Many of these periodontal diseases can be even treated by using Laser technology. Each laser has different wavelengths and power levels that can be used safely during different periodontal procedures.