During a periodontal (gum disease) evaluation at Bay College Dental Centre, the dental hygienist will begin by using a special instrument referred to as a periodontal probe to measure the space between your tooth and the gum tissue. This dental probe measures in millimeters and is used to measure pocket depths around each tooth to determine the level or progression of gum disease. This information, along with other tools, such as radiographs, will help determine how to proceed with the treatment.

After your periodontal evaluation, our dentists will be able to provide you with a few treatment options and a maintenance program that will help to control your gum disease and help return your teeth to their full health. Your maintenance program is an ongoing program that is meant to help prevent the destruction of the bone that supports your teeth and the reoccurrence of gum disease in the future. With scheduled maintenance therapy to remove plaque and tartar from above and below the gumline along with proper home oral care, you’ll have the opportunity to keep your natural teeth. In more advanced cases, there are non-surgical treatments we can provide which involve a more thorough cleaning deeper below the gum line, generally with the help of antibacterial/antibiotic therapies. In really severe cases, a consultation with our periodontist to discuss surgery to help stop, halt or minimize the damage is advised.

If you have concerns about your gum health, get in touch with Bay College Dental Center today!