Treat bleeding gums, gum disease, gingivitis, periodontitis, and gum recession with advanced periodontal treatment at Smile Arizona Dentistry to restore healthy gums and protect your smile.
If you have red, swollen, bleeding, sensitive, or receding gums, you may have early or advanced gum disease. At Smile Arizona Dentistry, we provide personalized periodontal treatment to help manage gingivitis, periodontitis, gum infections, and bone loss around the teeth. From scaling and root planing (deep cleaning) to laser gum therapy and ongoing periodontal maintenance, our goal is to restore healthy gums, protect your natural teeth, and improve your long-term oral health. We proudly serve patients in Scottsdale, Tempe, Mesa, Phoenix, and the surrounding communities.
Request an Appointment Now!
Dr. Beth Vander Schaaf takes a preventive, personalized approach to periodontal treatment, helping patients manage gingivitis, periodontitis, and other forms of gum disease before they progress. Based on the health of your gums and the severity of your condition, she will recommend the most appropriate treatment to control infection, restore healthy gums, and help prevent tooth and bone loss. Our periodontal treatment options include:
Scaling and root planing is a deep-cleaning procedure, which is required to treat early to advanced gum disease. Scaling removes hardened bacteria and tartar above and below the gum line. Root planing will smooth the tooth roots, helping to prevent further accumulation of bacteria and tartar. Scaling and root planing may require more than one dental appointment, and local anesthesia may be necessary depending on the severity of your gum disease or if you have receding gums.
Antibiotics/antimicrobials are sometimes recommended or required if you have gingivitis as it is caused by a bacterial infection. Your dentist may prescribe local or oral antibiotics/antimicrobials to help control or eliminate the infection-causing bacteria. Antibiotics can include antibiotic mouth rinses or gels, which are applied between your gums and teeth after deep cleaning to prevent further bacteria and tartar build-up.
A bite adjustment procedure may be performed to correct the imperfect positioning of the teeth. The bite adjustment procedure may require one or more appointments. A follow-up appointment may be required to check your bite again, and if required at that time, your dentist will make further adjustments. Your dentist may also provide occlusal and or nightwear only appliances to help prevent (further) bone destruction and loss around the teeth.
Gingivitis, the earliest stage of gum disease, is mostly caused by poor oral hygiene. Maintaining good oral hygiene is important to prevent plaque and tartar formation and build-up, which leads to gum disease. Gingivitis can be reversed by practicing good oral hygiene, but if left untreated, it can lead to a serious and irreversible form of gum disease called periodontitis.
Perio protect trays are used to treat gum disease more comfortably. They deliver hydrogen peroxide gel below the gumline in an FDA cleared medical device tray, which helps to reduce infection and inflammation. These trays are easy to use; you just need to wear them for a few minutes a day as a part of home care between your dental visits. Your dentist will take an impression of your mouth and send it to the lab to make a customized, FDA approved medical tray set of PerioProtect trays for you. The use of these trays not only improves your gum disease situation but also lightens your teeth!
At Smile Arizona Dentistry, we use high-quality and effective Ezlase diode lasers to treat your gum disease. Our laser gum treatment involves the following steps:
Laser gum treatment procedure offers various benefits, including:
At Smile Arizona Dentistry, we can treat these gum/periodontal conditions using Ezlase diode laser:
Also, we offer laser cleaning to prevent periodontal disease.
Gum disease is a bacterial infection that affects the gums and supporting tissues around your teeth. The earliest stage is called gingivitis, which causes inflammation and bleeding gums. If left untreated, it can progress to periodontitis, affecting the bone that supports your teeth and increasing the risk of tooth loss. With early diagnosis, good oral hygiene, and professional periodontal treatment, gum disease can often be effectively managed.
Because gum disease is often painless in its early stages, many people don't realize they have it until significant damage has occurred. Regular dental checkups and professional cleanings help detect gum disease early and protect your long-term oral health.
Gum disease often develops gradually and may not cause pain in its early stages, making it easy to overlook. However, recognizing the warning signs early can help prevent the condition from progressing and improve treatment outcomes. Common signs of gum disease include:
Several factors can increase your risk of developing gum disease. The most common risk factors include:
Periodontal disease progresses in stages. Early diagnosis and treatment can help prevent permanent damage to your gums, supporting bone, and teeth:
Gingivitis is the earliest stage of gum disease and is caused by plaque and tartar buildup along the gumline. Common symptoms include red, swollen, or bleeding gums, especially when brushing or flossing. At this stage, the condition is usually reversible with good oral hygiene and professional dental care.
If gingivitis is left untreated, it can progress to periodontitis. Bacteria spread below the gumline, causing the gums to pull away from the teeth and form periodontal pockets. Infection may begin to damage the bone and tissues that support your teeth, requiring professional periodontal treatment to prevent further progression.
In advanced periodontitis, significant bone and tissue loss can cause loose or shifting teeth, bite changes, and eventually tooth loss if left untreated. Comprehensive periodontal treatment and ongoing maintenance are essential to help preserve your natural teeth and protect your long-term oral health.
Research suggests that untreated gum disease may be associated with several health conditions because chronic inflammation and bacterial infection can affect overall health. Managing periodontal disease helps protect both your oral health and your general well-being. Conditions associated with gum disease include:
The cost of periodontal treatment depends on the type of care needed and the severity of your gum disease. For example, early-stage gingivitis may require a professional cleaning and improved home care, while periodontitis may need scaling and root planing, periodontal maintenance, or additional gum therapy.
At Smile Arizona Dentistry, we believe patients should have access to quality and affordable gum disease treatment in Scottsdale. We work with major dental insurance providers and also offer an in-house dental plan to help patients receive treatment at reduced rates. We also work with lending partners, including GreenSky and CareCredit, to provide flexible payment options for periodontal care.
Our dental team will review your condition, explain your treatment options, and discuss the available financial options before care begins. If you are looking for affordable periodontal treatment or a dentist who treats gum disease in Scottsdale, contact Smile Arizona Dentistry today to schedule an appointment.
You may not need to visit a separate gum specialist for most gum disease concerns. At Smile Arizona Dentistry, our team provides comprehensive periodontal treatment in Scottsdale, including deep cleaning for gums, scaling and root planing, and ongoing periodontal maintenance. For complex periodontal disease cases, we will let you know if a referral to a periodontist is needed, but many patients can receive gum disease treatment under one roof at our Scottsdale dental office.
Common signs of gum disease include bleeding gums when brushing or flossing, persistent bad breath, red or swollen gums, receding gums, gum recession, and loose or shifting teeth. Gum disease, including gingivitis and periodontitis, is often painless in its early stages, which is why regular dental checkups are important. If you notice these symptoms, early periodontal treatment can help protect your gums, teeth, and overall oral health.
Depending on the severity of your gum disease or periodontal disease, treatment may include a professional deep cleaning for gums called scaling and root planing. This procedure helps remove bacteria, plaque, and buildup from below the gumline. More advanced cases may require additional periodontal therapy. At our Scottsdale dental office, we use modern, minimally invasive techniques to make gum disease treatment as comfortable as possible, and we will work with you on an ongoing periodontal maintenance plan to help keep your gums healthy long-term
Yes, gum disease and periodontal disease have been linked to overall health concerns, including heart health, diabetes complications, and respiratory issues. Treating gum disease is not only about protecting your teeth; it also helps support healthy gums, better oral health, and your overall well-being. At Smile Arizona Dentistry, we take a comprehensive approach to periodontal treatment because your mouth and body are closely connected.
Click on the button below to request your dental appointment with Smile Arizona Dentistry today!