So you have periodontal disease. You are not alone. It is estimated that between 80% and 95% of the adult population has some degree of periodontal infection. Left untreated it is the number one cause for adult tooth loss. If you have been diagnosed with periodontal disease it is imperative that you know that early intervention is the key.
WHAT IS PERIODONTAL DISEASE?
The word “periodontal” literally means “around the tooth.” Periodontal diseases are infections that affect the tissues and bone that surround and support the teeth. It can affect one tooth or many teeth. Gum tissue fits around a tooth like a turtleneck sweater fits around your neck, resulting in a space between the tooth and gums. When the gums are in complete health this space is referred to as a sulcus and is measured by a periodontal probe to be 3 millimeters or less. Once this space becomes contaminated by the bacteria that cause periodontal disease, destruction begins to occur at the base of the sulcus (where the gum attaches to the tooth). As the gum attachment is destroyed bone loss begins and the sulcus deepens to a measurement greater than 3 millimeters and is then referred to as a periodontal “pocket”. 
WHAT CAUSES PERIODONTAL DISEASE?
In one word BIOFILM. Biofilm is best described as the bacterial equivalent to a militant terrorist cell. We have known for years that periodontal disease was primarily a bacterial infection. Recent studies have shown that several types of bacteria actually work together in a sticky matrix tocreate a more destructive complex than previously thought.
This sticky matrix is a haven for the bacteria and protects it from your immune system and even makes it difficult to remove with a toothbrush and floss. During a routine hygiene visit your hygienist removes the biofilm and in healthy gums the biofilm can continue to be removed with daily flossing. However, it returns quickly in periodontal pockets because it is virtually impossible for you to effectively clean any pocket deeper than 3 millimeters.
HOW IS PERIODONTAL DISEASE TREATED?
If your dentist feels that your disease cannot be effectively treated non-surgically, you may be referred to a periodontist for periodontal surgery. Your periodontist will open a surgical flap to allow easy access to the contaminated root surfaces to completely debride (clean) the root surfaces of your teeth. In some cases the periodontist may decide that it is necessary to surgically remove some of the height of the gum tissue thus restoring your pocket depth to a level that you can easily maintain at home with daily flossing. This results in large triangular spaces between the teeth and it also makes the teeth appear longer.
However, we now know that we can prevent periodontal surgery by recognizing the early signs of periodontal disease and treating it before it becomes more extensive and more expensive. Thanks to micro-ultrasonics and soft-tissue laser technology we can usually achieve successful, predictable results with non-surgical root debridement and laser detoxification.
WHAT IS ROOT DEBRIDEMENT AND LASER DETOXIFICATION? 
It is not surgery! In periodontal diseased pockets, hard deposits collect under the gums on the root surface of a tooth, which harbor bacterial biofilm and inhibits gum tissue attachment. This debris is primarily composed of calculus (tartar), plaque and bacterial biofilm and has to be completely removed in order to restore tissue health.
Root debridement therapy (RDT) involves using special instruments, curettes and micro-ultrasonics specifically designed to debride or clean the root of these contaminants. Then the laser energy is used to detoxify (destroy) any bacterial biofilm still harbored in the pocket or gum tissue. The end result is that the body will reattach the gum tissue to the tooth from the base of the pocket up, resulting in a healthy sulcus that can easily be maintained with daily brushing and flossing.
WILL THIS TREATMENT CURE MY PERIODONTAL DISEASE?
It is important to know that there is no cure for periodontal disease. Once bone is lost it won’t grow back. However, much like high blood pressure or diabetes we can resolve the symptoms, control it and keep it from progressing. Hence, the goal of root debridement therapy (RDT) in conjunction with laser detoxification is to stop tissue damage and bone loss and reduce the pocket depth. Early recognition and treatment of periodontal disease means more predictable results and betters the chance of avoiding surgery.
Once you have periodontal disease you are more susceptible to re-infection. We know that periodontal disease is episodic and site specific. That means that you can be maintaining the disease well for a long time and then have a relapse. However, in most cases we can predict successful life-long results with daily brushing and flossing and regular periodontal maintenance visits.
Brush two times a day for two minutes and floss once a day! 