Gum disease will affect about 80% of Americans at some point in their lives. It is nothing short of a silent epidemic, and we are doing everything we can to fight against it. The fight for healthy gums begins at home with your oral hygiene routine, but we are here when things go awry.
In the past, treating severe periodontal disease meant using surgery to open your gums and remove the deep infection. Thanks to perioscope technology, we no longer have to do that! In fact, we can treat your periodontal infection without the need for sutures or any other painful procedures commonly associated with the deep cleaning of the gums.
Now, there is a new dental procedure called perioscopy that features miniaturized digital video technology. This enables our board certified specialists and our hygienists to assess and treat areas below the gumline without the discomfort and inconvenience of pulling back the gum tissue and using sutures. We are the first office in Arizona to offer this break through technology since 2002.
With the use of a dental endoscope, we can magnify details of the tooth and the plaque deposits below the gums to diagnose and treat gum disease in a comfortable way.
A miniature camera with a fiber optic light is attached to a small tool and then inserted carefully below the gumline. The camera’s images show up on a screen next to your chair so that you and our team can see what is happening. This advance in technology allows us to see details at 48 times the magnification. We can now see things that we would have previously missed!
Perioscopy allows us to see and treat gum disease infections that might have remained hidden. Periodontal disease is a truly frightening prospect for all of us. We are working to eradicate this silent infection, and perioscopy is a fantastic weapon. It is especially effective in your smile zone: the teeth in the front of your smile!
In many cases, the need for surgery can be avoided. Perioscopy offers an alternative that can be used to treat you comfortably and effectively without the apprehensiveness and discomfort of traditional gum surgery. Your specialist will explain your options, and together you can decide what will work best for you and your smile.
Patients frequently report that perioscopy was definitely a worthwhile investment that helped them save their smiles! In addition, there is very little, if any, discomfort during a perioscopy appointment. This periodontal therapy is less invasive than traditional surgery and has a faster recovery. We are here to help you feel at ease with our in-office comfort options.
If you feel nervous or apprehensive about your appointment, ask us about our dental sedation options. We know what it feels like to be terrified at a dental appointment, but with the use of sedation, we can help the most frightened patients feel calm and collected. We offer oral conscious sedation, which will allow you to be present and conscious during your appointment without feeling anxious or afraid. In some cases, the sedation will actually allow you to drift off for a nap while we work.
Once you have cleared the infection from your gums, you will want to keep your mouth clean and healthy. Prevent gum disease by following the basic rules of a healthy mouth: brush, floss, and visit the dentist! The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends that you brush at least twice each day, floss at the end of each day, and visit your general dentist every three months for cleanings. We might also recommend that you use a special mouthrinse to keep your gums safe from harmful bacteria.
Perioscopy is generally used only for periodontal disease that has resulted in pockets deeper than 5mm. The best way to determine the ideal gum treatment for you is to contact our office today to schedule your free, no-obligation examination. Simply call us at 602-266-3430 or contact us using our convenient online form. We look forward to helping you have a happier, healthier smile!
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