If you have been told that you have gum disease, gum recession, bone loss around your teeth, or another periodontal problem, you may be wondering what treatment actually involves. Periodontists perform a wide range of procedures designed to protect the gums and bone that support your teeth, treat periodontal disease, restore lost tissue, and in some cases replace missing teeth with dental implants.
At Your Gum Specialist in Forest Hills, Queens, Dr. Prabha Krishnan provides both nonsurgical and surgical periodontal treatment based on each patient’s diagnosis and individual needs.
Key Takeaways
- Periodontal procedures treat conditions affecting the gums, bone, and other structures that support the teeth.
- Common treatments include scaling and root planing, LANAP® laser gum treatment, gum grafting, pocket reduction surgery, bone grafting, periodontal regeneration, and crown lengthening.
- Periodontists also perform procedures related to dental implants, including bone grafting, ridge modification, and sinus augmentation.
- The right periodontal treatment depends on factors such as pocket depth, gum recession, bone loss, inflammation, tooth stability, and previous treatment.
- Many patients can begin with nonsurgical treatment, while more advanced periodontal disease may require surgical or regenerative treatment.
What Procedures Does a Periodontist Perform?
A periodontist performs procedures that diagnose and treat gum disease, restore lost gum or bone tissue, preserve natural teeth, prepare the mouth for restorative dentistry, and place or support dental implants.
Common periodontal procedures include deep cleaning with scaling and root planing, periodontal pocket reduction surgery, gum grafting, bone grafting, regenerative procedures, crown lengthening, laser periodontal treatment, dental implant placement, ridge modification, and sinus augmentation.
The exact treatment recommended depends on what is happening beneath the gumline. Two patients with similar symptoms may require very different periodontal procedures depending on the amount of bone loss, the depth of periodontal pockets, the location of gum recession, and the health of the supporting tissues.
You can learn more about the full range of periodontal services available in Forest Hills.
1. Scaling and Root Planing
Scaling and root planing is one of the most common nonsurgical periodontal procedures and is often referred to as a “deep cleaning.”
Unlike a routine dental cleaning, scaling and root planing reaches beneath the gumline to remove plaque and hardened deposits from the surfaces of the teeth and roots. The root surfaces are then carefully cleaned and smoothed to create an environment that allows the surrounding gum tissue to heal.
This treatment is frequently recommended for patients with periodontitis when periodontal pockets have formed around the teeth.
After treatment, the gums are reevaluated to determine how well they have responded. Some patients may require only periodontal maintenance after scaling and root planing, while others with deeper pockets or more advanced bone loss may need additional treatment.
2. LANAP® Laser Gum Disease Treatment
Laser periodontal therapy provides another treatment option for certain patients with gum disease. At our Forest Hills periodontal office, Dr. Krishnan offers the LANAP® laser gum treatment protocol.
LANAP, or Laser Assisted New Attachment Procedure, uses a specialized dental laser as part of a protocol designed to treat diseased periodontal pockets while preserving healthy tissue.
For appropriate candidates, LANAP may provide an alternative to certain forms of traditional periodontal surgery. Whether laser therapy or another periodontal procedure is recommended depends on the extent and pattern of the disease.
Patients researching laser treatment can also read our detailed guide to LANAP laser gum surgery in Forest Hills, Queens.
3. Periodontal Pocket Reduction Surgery
Healthy gum tissue fits closely around the teeth. Periodontitis can cause these spaces to deepen into periodontal pockets, making it increasingly difficult to remove bacteria and deposits beneath the gumline.
If deep pockets remain after nonsurgical treatment, a periodontist may recommend periodontal pocket reduction surgery.
This type of procedure gives the periodontist better access to the tooth roots and supporting structures so that disease-causing deposits can be removed. Depending on the case, damaged bone may also be reshaped or regenerative treatment may be performed.
The overall goal is to create a healthier environment around the teeth that is easier for both the patient and dental professionals to maintain.
4. Gum Grafting
Gum recession occurs when the gumline moves away from its normal position and exposes part of the tooth root. Recession may develop because of periodontal disease, anatomy, brushing habits, orthodontic movement, or other factors.
When appropriate, gum grafting can be used to add tissue to areas where the gums have receded. Depending on the clinical situation, treatment may help protect exposed roots, improve the thickness of the gum tissue, reduce sensitivity, and improve the appearance of the gumline.
Not every case of gum recession requires the same procedure. Some patients may also be candidates for minimally invasive treatment such as the Pinhole® Surgical Technique.
A periodontal evaluation is important because treatment should address both the recession itself and the reason it developed.
5. Bone Grafting
Bone is an essential part of the periodontal system because it provides support for the teeth. Advanced periodontal disease can destroy some of this supporting bone. Bone can also shrink after a tooth has been lost.
Dental bone grafting is a regenerative procedure used to rebuild or augment areas where bone has been lost.
Bone grafting may be recommended to:
- Help regenerate bone damaged by periodontal disease
- Prepare an area for dental implant placement
- Preserve or rebuild the jaw after tooth loss
- Correct certain defects in the supporting bone
Patients considering implants can learn more in our guide to bone grafting in Forest Hills, Queens.
6. Periodontal Regenerative Procedures
Some periodontal procedures are designed not simply to remove disease but to encourage the body to regenerate structures that have been damaged.
Periodontal regenerative treatment may incorporate techniques such as bone grafting, barrier membranes, biologic materials, or other methods intended to encourage new bone and supporting tissue growth.
Not every pattern of periodontal bone loss can be regenerated. The shape and location of the defect, the health of the remaining tissue, oral hygiene, smoking status, medical history, and other factors can all affect whether regenerative treatment is appropriate.
This is one reason a detailed periodontal examination is important before deciding whether regenerative surgery, pocket reduction, laser treatment, or another approach provides the best option.
7. Crown Lengthening
Crown lengthening reshapes gum tissue, and sometimes the underlying bone, to expose more of the natural tooth.
Although crown lengthening is sometimes associated with improving the appearance of a “gummy smile,” it also has important restorative uses.
For example, a dentist may need additional tooth structure above the gumline when restoring a tooth that is broken or decayed near or below the gumline. In these situations, a periodontist can adjust the surrounding gum and bone levels to provide access to more of the tooth.
Crown lengthening may therefore be performed for periodontal, restorative, or cosmetic reasons.
8. Dental Implants
Periodontists specialize not only in treating the gums and bone around natural teeth but also in the placement and maintenance of dental implants.
A dental implant is placed into the jawbone to replace the root portion of a missing tooth and support a dental restoration.
Because implant success depends heavily on healthy gum tissue and adequate supporting bone, periodontal expertise can be particularly important when a patient has a history of periodontal disease or bone loss.
Before implant placement, a periodontist may evaluate the amount and quality of available bone, the condition of neighboring teeth, the health of the gums, and the position of important anatomical structures.
9. Ridge Modification and Bone Augmentation
When a tooth has been missing for some time, the jawbone in that area can change shape or lose volume. Periodontal disease, trauma, or developmental conditions can also create defects in the bony ridge.
Ridge modification is designed to rebuild deficient areas of the jaw and may be used to improve the foundation for a future dental implant.
Depending on the situation, bone graft material may be placed in the deficient area and allowed to heal before an implant is placed.
10. Sinus Augmentation
Patients who need dental implants in the back portion of the upper jaw sometimes have insufficient bone beneath the maxillary sinus.
A sinus augmentation, also called a sinus lift, creates additional space for bone graft material beneath the sinus membrane. After healing, the augmented area may provide the bone support needed for implant placement.
Whether a sinus lift is necessary depends on the amount of existing bone, the location of the sinus, the planned implant position, and other anatomical considerations.
11. Tooth Extraction When a Tooth Cannot Be Saved
The primary goal of periodontal treatment is often to preserve natural teeth whenever there is a predictable way to do so. Unfortunately, severe periodontal disease can sometimes destroy so much supporting bone and tissue that a tooth can no longer be maintained successfully.
In those cases, extraction may be recommended as part of a broader treatment plan. The periodontist can also evaluate whether bone preservation, bone grafting, or future dental implant placement should be considered at the same time.
How Does a Periodontist Decide Which Procedure You Need?
There is no single periodontal procedure that is appropriate for everyone with gum disease.
A periodontist may evaluate several factors before recommending treatment, including:
- Periodontal pocket depth
- Bleeding and inflammation
- Amount and pattern of bone loss
- Gum recession
- Tooth mobility
- Presence of infection
- Previous periodontal treatment
- Existing dental restorations
- Medical history and medications
- Smoking or tobacco use
- Home oral hygiene
- Whether teeth are missing or need replacement
In many cases, treatment progresses in stages. A patient may begin with nonsurgical therapy such as scaling and root planing and then return for a periodontal reevaluation. If deep pockets or other problems remain, additional surgical, regenerative, or laser treatment may be discussed.
Do All Gum Disease Patients Need Surgery?
No. Not everyone with gum disease needs periodontal surgery.
Some patients can be treated successfully with nonsurgical therapy and ongoing periodontal maintenance. Surgery may be considered when nonsurgical treatment cannot adequately address deep periodontal pockets, bone defects, gum recession, difficult-to-access deposits, or other structural problems.
The severity of the diagnosis matters. Gingivitis, early periodontitis, and advanced periodontitis do not necessarily require the same approach.
Is Periodontal Treatment Painful?
Comfort measures depend on the specific periodontal procedure being performed. Local anesthesia is commonly used when treatment involves sensitive areas or surgery. Some procedures are relatively conservative, while others naturally require a longer healing period.
Your periodontist can explain what to expect before, during, and after treatment, including postoperative instructions and options for managing discomfort.
When Should You See a Periodontist?
You may benefit from a periodontal evaluation if you experience persistent gum bleeding, swollen gums, gum recession, loose teeth, changes in your bite, deep periodontal pockets, unexplained bone loss, or ongoing gum disease despite previous treatment.
Your general dentist may also refer you to a periodontist when your condition requires treatment involving the gums, supporting bone, or dental implants.
A periodontist has advanced training focused specifically on the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of periodontal disease as well as procedures involving the supporting structures of the teeth.
Periodontal Procedures in Forest Hills and Queens, NY
Patients throughout Forest Hills and the surrounding Queens communities have access to a broad range of periodontal procedures at Your Gum Specialist.
Dr. Prabha Krishnan is a periodontist who provides diagnosis and treatment for gum disease, gum recession, periodontal bone loss, and other conditions involving the tissues supporting the teeth. Treatment options available through the practice include scaling and root planing, LANAP® laser periodontal therapy, periodontal surgery, gum grafting, bone grafting, crown lengthening, regenerative procedures, and dental implant treatment.
Our periodontal office is located in Forest Hills, Queens, New York, making specialized periodontal care accessible to patients throughout Queens and neighboring New York City communities.
Learn more about Dr. Prabha Krishnan or review our complete periodontal treatment options.
Frequently Asked Questions About Periodontal Procedures
What is the most common periodontal procedure?
Scaling and root planing is one of the most commonly performed nonsurgical periodontal procedures. It removes plaque and hardened deposits from beneath the gumline and cleans the tooth root surfaces. More advanced periodontal disease may require additional treatment.
What procedures does a periodontist perform?
Periodontists perform nonsurgical and surgical procedures involving the gums and bone supporting the teeth. These may include scaling and root planing, gum grafting, pocket reduction surgery, bone grafting, regenerative periodontal surgery, crown lengthening, laser periodontal treatment, dental implants, ridge augmentation, and sinus lifts.
Can a periodontist rebuild lost bone?
In certain situations, periodontal regenerative procedures can encourage the formation of new bone and supporting tissue in areas damaged by periodontal disease. Bone grafts, membranes, and other regenerative techniques may be used depending on the type and location of the defect. Not every pattern of bone loss is suitable for regeneration.
When do you need periodontal surgery?
Periodontal surgery may be considered when nonsurgical treatment alone cannot adequately manage deep pockets, bone loss, gum recession, or other structural problems. Your periodontist will evaluate how the tissues respond to initial treatment before recommending surgery when appropriate.
What is the difference between a dentist and a periodontist?
A general dentist provides a broad range of dental care, while a periodontist receives additional specialty training focused on gum disease, the bone and tissues supporting the teeth, and dental implants. General dentists commonly refer patients to periodontists when specialized periodontal or implant treatment is needed.
Where can I find a periodontist in Forest Hills, Queens?
Your Gum Specialist provides periodontal treatment at our Forest Hills office in Queens, NY. Patients with gum disease, gum recession, periodontal bone loss, missing teeth, or other periodontal concerns can contact our Forest Hills periodontal office to request an evaluation.
Schedule a Periodontal Evaluation in Forest Hills, Queens
The best periodontal procedure is the one that addresses your specific diagnosis while preserving as much healthy gum tissue, bone, and natural tooth structure as possible.
If you have been diagnosed with periodontal disease or are experiencing bleeding gums, gum recession, loose teeth, bone loss, or other signs of a periodontal problem, a comprehensive evaluation can help determine which treatment options are appropriate.
Contact Your Gum Specialist in Forest Hills, Queens to schedule a periodontal consultation with Dr. Prabha Krishnan and learn more about the treatment options available for protecting your gums, bone, and natural teeth.
