Periodontal Therapy Program
  What is a "Periodontal Therapy Program?"
(Also called "Tissue Management Program")

Periodontal (gum) disease is not curable - but it is controllable.

A periodontal therapy program is a "conservative program of four to six visits to control periodontal gum disease." By "conservative," we mean non-surgical.
   If you are diagnosed with pockets in the gum tissue around your teeth greater than 3 mm, or with bleeding points upon non-traumatic probing, then you have periodontal (gum) disease. Remember: healthy gums never bleed! Bleeding is infection. If you have pockets greater than 3 mm or bleeding points, your dentist or hygienist may recommend a soft tissue management program to control your disease. The severity of the periodontal disease determines the number of visits while participating in the soft tissue management program.
   Our goal in soft tissue management is to eliminate bleeding points and to shrink the periodontal pockets to a healthy and manageable level.

The Therapy

The therapy consists of a gross scaling (removing plaque and calculus above the gums) on your initial visit. The next two appointments consist of root planing (smoothing the root surface until they are as smooth as glass), curettage, irrigation with antibiotics, polishing, flossing and a homecare instruction regimen. A homecare devise may be provided. Your periodontal health and therapy progress will be monitored throughout the program with pocket depth and bleeding points charted at the beginning and end of the soft tissue management program.
   Local anesthetic is used to anesthetize the patient before root planing and curettage. As always, nitrous oxide, oral valium and tranquilizers are available for your comfort and relaxation. We want your periodontal therapy to be a pleasant, comfortable, healthy, and personally rewarding experience.
   After your therapy, your doctor and hygienist will recommend a three-month recall, continuing-care interval so that your new level of periodontal health can be monitored and maintained.
   Your personal home care is the determining factor in the continued success of your treatment. We will do our best and work with you in any way we can to assist you.