Our office is located on Main Street in Lakemont Park at 166 Lakemont Park Boulevard in Altoona, Pa 16602     Directions/Map

Nonsurgical Periodontics

Nonsurgical periodontics begins the process of healing.  We may make suggestions for changes in your dietary habits or life style which can help increase the "resistance" of your gum tissues. We will also make recommendations for effective daily plaque control procedures to remove bacteria from below the gum line.  In a series of appointments, we will clean the bacterial deposits within the gum pockets to help and allow your gum tissue reattach to your teeth to eliminate gum pockets.

A series of visits is necessary to obtain as much healing as possible from your plaque control and our office treatments called scaling or root planing.  Occasionally Lidocaine (like Novocaine, only more effective) will be used when necessary to eliminate any discomfort during your visits.  Tylenol or Advil may be used after each visit to control and discomfort.  You can return to your normal schedule at home or work.

Before Scaling & Root Planing		Before Scaling & Root Planing

After Scaling & Root Planing		After Scaling & Root Planing

After several visits, you may notice less bleeding while brushing and flossing; as well as firmer gums, fresher breath and loose teeth may becoming tighter.  These changes occur as health begins to return. Your teeth may become temporarily more sensitive to thermal changes (cold especially) at first.  This normally will decrease with healing.  Occasionally, a postoperative infection occurs when bacteria become entrapped in an area below the gum and produce an abscess.  If you notice a tightness or swelling of your gum, call us immediately.  Rarely, defective older restorations and weakened portions of the teeth may be displaced by the performance of thorough root planing procedures.  Intact teeth and sound restorations will not be damaged by scaling and root planing. 

Depending on your response to nonsurgical treatment, periodontal (gum) surgery may still be necessary for access to areas of deep infection and elimination of deeper pockets.  Periodontal surgery reduces hiding places for bacteria (pockets), provides access to assure complete removal of infection, and restores a functional shape to gum tissues.  Daily hygiene become easier and more effective in removing bacterial plaque. We will describe the surgical phase in detail when we assess your healing response following nonsurgical periodontics.