Non-Surgical Gum Therapy in San Ramon

Definition: Periodontal (Gum) Disease is a communicable infection caused by bacteria living along the gumline and between the teeth. It is primarily caused by inadequate oral hygiene (brushing and flossing). The periodontal infection causes the gums to separate from the teeth, resulting in pocket formation between the teeth and gums. With time, the infection spreads into the jawbone which supports the teeth, and destroys it. Ultimately, the teeth get loose and fall out or have to be pulled at the dental office.

Once well-established, periodontal disease can only be controlled, it can never be completely cured. We used to think that once a pocket had formed, you were essentially stuck with it forever. The only way to improve the situation was through surgical means. But, recent research has shown that if the pockets are not too deep nor too long-standing, they can actually be improved through conservative non-surgical techniques. This is a very worthwhile goal: non-surgical gum therapy in San Ramon. We have made it the standard of care in our dentistry office to avail ourselves of these treatments wherever we believe they have merit. One such technique is to culture the bacteria that are living at the depths of your pockets. We know that there are very specific bacteria (a dozen or more) that cause the problem. If we find several of these bad germs (particularly if we find them in large numbers), you are at very high risk of further periodontal breakdown in the near future, and more aggressive treatment is warranted. However, if we find the opposite, it is likely that you have more breathing room.

One technique that we have found particularly helpful, is the use of Arestin7. This is a novel form of an antibiotic. A very small amount of powder is painlessly placed right into the periodontal pocket. This results in a very high level of concentration right where it is needed, and without any of the normal side effects that come from taking antibiotics orally. Arestin7 is very effective at killing all of the bacteria at the depths of the pocket, and we have found it to be an excellent choice for reducing the depth of moderately deep pockets. These non-surgical gum therapy techniques in San Ramon are much less expensive, less time consuming, more esthetic, and are completely painless, in contrast to the older more aggressive treatments of the past. They are also in line with our philosophy of dentistry, found in our mission statement. 

For more information, please visit http://www.arestin.com.

Providing services for gum therapy in San Ramon to Danville, CA and beyond.