Dental Hygiene

Dental Hygiene image

Regular dental checkups are important for maintaining good oral and dental hygiene and health. These can also help you save money over the long term, since small problems are more easily and cheaply taken care of if caught early. This way, you are able to care for your teeth and gums. The dentist will examine your teeth and find out if they require cleaning, cavity filling, and/or other preventative or corrective measures. Any issues, such as halitosis, can be addressed.

Periodontal Therapy

Gum Checkup

Healthy gums are a crucial part of achieving optimal oral health. Periodontal disease (gum disease) is one of the most common dental concerns amongst patients. If gum disease is left untreated, it can lead to a wide range of dental concerns that impact the function and health of your teeth and gums. Gum disease is one of the leading causes of adult tooth loss.

Our restorative dentist offers a full range of periodontal therapy services in our dental office. Dr. Paula Izvernari will screen for any signs of gum disease during your preventive dental care visits. Our dental care team will work with you one on one to create better oral hygiene habits and address any questions you may have about improving your gum health. Our goal is to provide personalized solutions for restoring and maintaining your gum health.

What to Expect

The first step in treating gum disease is to undergo a comprehensive exam with Dr. Izvernari. She will evaluate the condition of your teeth and gums, determine the severity or stage of gum disease, and assess any damage done to the teeth as a result of gum disease.

After a detailed consultation examination, she may suggest one or more of these periodontal therapy solutions to restore health to the teeth and gums.

Periodontal Therapy Treatments

Antibacterial Rinses: For the early stage of gum disease (gingivitis), antibacterial rinses may be used daily to stop the spread of infection and restore gum health.

Scaling and Root Planing: This treatment method is an intensive dental cleaning of the gum line to remove tartar and plaque buildup. Using special tools, your dentist will scrape away plaque and tartar buildup and remove bacteria from the deep gum pockets where it forms. Scaling and root planing may need to be performed more than once for an effective result.

Laser Dentistry: In some cases, laser dentistry can be used to eliminate bacteria in the gums and promote the natural healing process. Laser dentistry in minimally invasive and requires no sutures or recovery time.

Oral Surgery: For advanced stages of gum disease, oral surgery may be necessary to restore damaged gum tissue and teeth. If gum surgery is needed, in some cases, we can perform the surgical procedure in our dental office.


Frequently Asked Questions

You can take steps to reduce your risk of the disease at home. For example, you should brush and floss thoroughly every day. Doing so removes food particles from the teeth, which bacteria need to break down to cause plaque buildup and gum inflammation. In addition, if you smoke or use tobacco products, we recommend quitting right away. If you have any questions about avoiding periodontal disease, please contact our office today.

Regular dental visits are essential to maintaining your oral health. Early detection of dental problems saves money over time, since minor problems are less costly to treat than major ones. During your comprehensive assessment, Dr. Izvernari will determine a visit frequency that is tailored to your oral health condition and periodontal therapy needs.

No, periodontal therapy is not a painful process. For example, scaling and root planning is a process that deep-cleans your gums, and is comparable to a deep gum massage for your mouth. We will use local anesthesia if necessary and can also recommend oral sedation options.

The common signs of gum disease are:

  • Bleeding gums
  • Swollen gums
  • Gum irritation
  • Change in the bite or dentures
  • Loose or shifting teeth
  • Halitosis (persistent bad breath)
  • Tooth loss

Periodontal disease is a bacterial infection of the gum tissue. Gum disease occurs when plaque and tartar are not properly removed from the teeth and make their way to the gum line. Once at the gum line, plaque and tartar can irritate the gums. Deep pockets form around the teeth, causing the teeth to pull away from the gums, allowing bacteria to harbor and compromise the gum tissue and bone structure.

If you notice any signs of gum disease, schedule a visit to our Montclair-based office. Early detection and diagnosis are one of the best tools to have when treating gum disease.

Since bleeding gums are a sign of periodontal disease, you open yourself up to more risk of getting infections, oral cancer, and losing teeth. Sometimes your gums bleed because you brush your teeth too hard, but it’s not always the case. Visit your dentist to find the exact cause of your bleeding gums.

Dr. Izvernari determines your periodontal treatment plan based on the severity of your gum disease. Gum inflammation (gingivitis) can be treated effectively with antibacterial mouthwashes. Intensive cleaning methods such as scaling and root planing address plaque and tartar deposits in deep gum areas. Laser treatment eliminates harmful bacteria and encourages natural tissue repair without requiring stitches or healing time. Serious cases may necessitate surgical intervention to restore damaged gum and tooth structures.