What Is Periodontal Therapy?
Periodontal therapy is treatment for gum disease, a bacterial infection of the tissue and bone that hold your teeth in place. It begins when plaque and tartar collect along and below the gumline. Left alone, the infection moves from gingivitis (inflamed, bleeding gums) to periodontitis, where the gums pull away from the teeth and form pockets that trap more bacteria.
At Kidder Owens Dental, periodontal therapy centers on scaling and root planing, often called a deep cleaning, followed by periodontal maintenance visits that keep the infection from returning.
Warning Signs of Gum Disease
Gum disease is often painless in its early stages, so many patients don’t notice it until it has progressed. Schedule an evaluation if you notice:
- Bleeding Gums – Gums that bleed when you brush or floss.
- Red, Swollen, or Tender Gums – Inflammation is the body’s response to bacteria at the gumline.
- Persistent Bad Breath – Bacteria trapped below the gums cause odor that brushing doesn’t fix.
- Receding Gums – Teeth that look longer as gum tissue pulls back.
- Loose or Shifting Teeth – A sign that the supporting bone is being affected.
How Scaling and Root Planing Treats Gum Disease
A regular dental cleaning removes plaque and tartar from the visible surfaces of your teeth. Scaling and root planing goes further, reaching below the gumline to clear out the bacteria driving the infection.
Step 1: Gum Health Evaluation
Our team measures the depth of the space between each tooth and the gums. Healthy pockets are shallow; deeper pockets show where gum disease has taken hold. X-rays may be used to check the bone around your teeth.
Step 2: Scaling
Using hand instruments and ultrasonic scalers, we remove plaque and hardened tartar from the tooth surfaces and from inside the gum pockets. The area is numbed first so you stay comfortable.
Step 3: Root Planing
The root surfaces are then smoothed. Smooth roots make it harder for bacteria to reattach and give the gums a clean surface to heal against and tighten around.
Step 4: Follow-Up Evaluation
After the gums have had time to heal, we re-measure the pockets to confirm the treatment is working and plan your next steps.
Depending on how many areas need treatment, scaling and root planing may be completed in one visit or split across two, treating one side of the mouth at a time.
Periodontal Maintenance After a Deep Cleaning
Gum disease can be controlled, but bacteria can recolonize the pockets if they’re left alone. That’s why patients who have had scaling and root planing move to periodontal maintenance visits instead of standard cleanings.
Maintenance visits are more thorough than a routine cleaning and are usually scheduled more often, commonly every three to four months. At each visit we:
- Clean above and below the gumline to disrupt new bacterial buildup
- Re-measure pocket depths to track your gum health over time
- Check for areas that need additional attention
- Review your home care routine
Who Is a Candidate for Periodontal Therapy?
Scaling and root planing is recommended when an evaluation shows gum pockets deeper than a routine cleaning can reach. It is often a good fit for patients who:
- Have been diagnosed with periodontitis
- Have bleeding, swollen, or receding gums
- Have a history of gum disease or haven’t had a cleaning in several years
- Have diabetes or other conditions that raise the risk of gum infection
- Are planning dental implants, which need healthy gums and bone for long-term success
Not sure where your gums stand? A comprehensive dental exam includes a full evaluation of your teeth, gums, and bite.
Why Treating Gum Disease Early Matters
Periodontitis is a leading cause of tooth loss in adults. As the infection spreads, it breaks down the bone that supports your teeth, and that damage does not reverse on its own. Treating gum disease early with scaling and root planing can:
- Stop the Infection From Progressing – Removing bacteria below the gumline halts ongoing damage.
- Reduce Pocket Depth – Healthy gums reattach more firmly to clean root surfaces.
- Protect Your Natural Teeth – Preserving bone support lowers the risk of loose teeth and tooth extractions.
- Freshen Your Breath – Clearing trapped bacteria addresses the source of chronic bad breath.
Why Choose Kidder Owens Dental for Periodontal Therapy in Baton Rouge?
At Kidder Owens Dental, we treat gum disease as part of complete, long-term oral health care.
- Experienced Dentists – Dr. Dustin Kidder, Dr. Elizabeth Kidder, and Dr. Sean Owens guide every treatment plan.
- Thorough Gum Evaluations – Pocket measurements and X-rays show exactly where treatment is needed.
- Comfort-Focused Care – Local anesthetic is used during scaling and root planing, and sedation dentistry is available for patients with dental anxiety.
- Ongoing Maintenance – We keep tracking your gum health long after your deep cleaning.