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Facts for Consideration
Dental x-rays will be taken to check the condition of the bone that supports your teeth. A thorough examination of your
oral cavity will be done measuring the pockets under the gums surrounding your teeth to determine which periodontal
treatment(s) your gum condition requires.
Treatment involves removing the bacterial substance known as plaque, which is the principal cause of periodontal disease
and calculus, which is an accumulation of hard deposits on the tooth above or below the gingival margin.
The treatment involves scaling which uses ultrasonic and hand instruments to remove calculus, plaque, and bacteria;
curettage which scrapes away any necrotic (dead) tissue and cleans the area or pocket, and root planing which smoothes
and contours the root surface to remove the debris and cementum found in the periodontal pocket. Medications or a
special mouth rinse to help control the growth of bacteria may be part of treatment.
The success of the treatment depends in part on your efforts to brush and floss daily, receive regular cleaning as directed,
follow a healthy diet, avoid tobacco products and follow proper home care.
A topical or local anesthetic may be administered depending on the sensitivity of the area to be treated.
Benefits of Non-Surgical Periodontal Treatment, Not Limited to the Following:
Create a clean environment in which your gums can heal; reduce the chances of further irritation and infection; make it
easier for you to keep your teeth clean; and decrease the cost of replacing teeth lost due to gum disease.
Risks of Non-Surgical Periodontal Treatment, Not Limited to the Following:
Your gums may bleed or swell and you may experience moderate discomfort for several hours after the anesthesia
wears off. There may be slight soreness for a few days, which may be treated with pain medication. Please notify
the office if conditions persist beyond a few days.
Because cleanings involve contact with bacteria and infected tissue in the mouth, you may also experience an infection,
which would be treated with antibiotic if this occurs.
Holding your mouth open during treatment may temporarily leave your jaw feeling stiff and sore and may make it
difficult to open wide for several days afterwards. However, this can occasionally be an indication of a further problem.
Please call the office if this or other concerns arise.
As your gum tissues heal, they may shrink somewhat, exposing some of the root surface. This could make your teeth
more sensitive to hot or cold, which will typically resolve on its own or with the help of toothpastes for sensitive teeth.
Depending on your current dental condition, existing medical problems, or medications you may be taking, these methods
alone may not completely reverse the effects of gum disease or prevent further problems. Your gums will be evaluated
6 weeks following the periodontal treatment and at that time Dr. Kitagawa will determine if you will need further treatment
or a referral to the periodontist (gum specialist).
You may receive a topical or local anesthetic and/or other medication. In rare instances patients may have a reaction
to the anesthetic, which could require emergency medical attention. Rarely, temporary or permanent nerve injury may
result from an injection.
All medications have the potential for accompanying risks, side effects, and drug interactions. Therefore, it is critical that
you tell your dentist of all medications you are currently taking.
Consequences If No Treatment Is Administered, Not Limited to the Following:
If no treatment is administered or ongoing treatment was interrupted or discontinued, your periodontal condition would
continue and probably worsen. This could lead to further inflammation and infection of gum tissues, tooth decay above and
below the gumline, deterioration of bone surrounding the tooth and eventually, the loss of teeth. Additionally, periodontal
disease has been linked to heart disease.
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