Periodontal Treatment

Periodontal Treatment
in Great Falls & Ashburn, VA

Periodontal disease, also known as gum disease, is an oral condition caused by harmful bacteria in the mouth. The bacteria infect and inflame the gums, and if left untreated, they will gradually progress to cause gum recession, bone loss, and tooth loss. The milder stage of gum disease is known as gingivitis, while the more severe form of this condition is known as periodontitis.

Costa Dentistry always accepts new patients for periodontal dental cleanings and treatment. When you visit our Great Falls or Ashburn, VA offices, we will carefully evaluate your oral health to determine the severity of the disease and create a treatment plan.

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Ashburn VA dental patient and hygienist.

Periodontal Treatment Options

at Costa Dentistry

Laser Light Therapy

If you are at risk of developing or currently suffer from gum disease, our dentists may recommend laser light therapy. Laser light therapy, also known as laser bacteria reduction (LBR), is a professional laser dental treatment that improves your oral health and helps protect your mouth from gum disease. 

This treatment uses high-intensity light energy and, when applied, kills most harmful bacteria in your mouth, reducing strain on your immune system and making other dental treatments, including dental cleanings, safer to perform.

Deep Dental Cleaning

Deep cleaning dental appointments are important to maintaining your oral health if you have experienced periodontal disease. These sessions include: 

Scaling — the removal of plaque and tartar below the gum line to the periodontal pocket.

Root Planing — smoothing the tooth’s root surface so the connective gum tissue can regrow and support the tooth again.

CloSYS Mouth Rinse

Costa Dentistry recommends the use of CloSYS Mouth Rinse for preventing gum disease before it happens, or for maintenance after treatments.

Fluoride Treatments

While fluoride is a standard treatment given in regular dental cleanings, it can also be very helpful in periodontal maintenance. Fluoride helps to stop the growth of bacteria and reduces plaque formation. This can be done through our strong, professional fluoride applications as well as with at-home treatments like fluoride mouthwashes and over-the-counter products.

Choose Costa Dentistry for Periodontal Cleanings

Periodontal treatment requires a level of precision, consistency, and trust that not every dental practice is equipped to offer. Costa Dentistry’s experienced hygiene team carefully tracks the health of your gum tissue from visit to visit and adjusts your care plan as your condition improves. Our Ashburn and Great Falls offices are designed to make even the most involved appointments feel calm and comfortable, with a full comfort menu of luxury amenities. We’re committed to helping you get your gum health under control and keeping it there for the long term.

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Periodontal FAQs

What Are the Symptoms of Periodontal Disease?

Common symptoms of periodontal disease include:

  • Red, swollen or tender gums, or other pain in your mouth
  • Bleeding while brushing, flossing or eating hard foods
  • Gums that are receding or pulling away from the teeth
  • Loose or separating teeth
  • Pus between your gums and teeth
  • Persistent bad breath
  • Sores in the mouth
  • Changes in your bite or in the fit of dentures or other oral appliances

Research has shown that periodontal disease is closely linked to your overall health. In fact, gum disease and other medical conditions often impact or exacerbate each other. Common conditions affected by gum disease include diabetes, heart disease and stroke, pregnancy complications, osteoporosis and respiratory disease. This makes it incredibly important that you visit the dentist regularly and receive prompt treatment if you are diagnosed with periodontal disease.

Periodontal disease is rarely found in children and teenagers. However, learning to care for their teeth and mouth early can help prevent children from developing gum disease in the future. Please help your child or teenager develop good oral habits so that they can continue to enjoy a healthy mouth and smile.

The best way to prevent gum disease is to practice good oral hygiene at home. We recommend brushing your teeth at least twice a day. Ideally, you should brush after each meal and before going to bed at night. You should also floss daily. We also strongly recommend that you visit our dentists at least twice each year for preventive care. These routine visits allow us to check for signs of periodontal disease and provide any treatments you may need.

Some lifestyle, genetic, and medical factors may increase your risk of gum disease. These factors include:

  • Smoking or using other tobacco products
  • Poor oral hygiene habits
  • A family history of gum disease
  • Systemic health conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, osteoporosis, etc.
  • Pregnancy

The process is simple, noninvasive and painless. We will simply focus the light energy of the laser around the teeth and into your periodontal pockets during a regular dental cleaning. The entire process will take only five to 10 minutes to complete.