Services
Periodontics in Vancouver, WA
Periodontics Services in Vancouver, WA, at Two Rivers Dentistry focus on the health of your gums and the bone that support your teeth. This educational guide explains how periodontal care helps prevent, diagnose, and treat gum disease so patients in Vancouver, Washington, can make informed decisions about their oral health.
About Periodontics Care
Periodontics is the dental specialty dedicated to the structures around the teeth, including gums, ligaments, and jawbone. Gum disease begins when bacteria in plaque trigger inflammation. Gingivitis is the earliest stage and affects the gums only. With timely care, gingivitis is reversible. Without treatment, it can progress to periodontitis, where the bone and connective tissues are damaged.
Common risk factors include smoking, diabetes, dry mouth, certain medications, genetics, and inconsistent brushing and flossing. Recognizing the signs of periodontal disease early can help protect your smile and overall health.
Benefits of Periodontal Treatment
- Stops active infection to protect gum and bone tissues.
- Reduces bleeding, swelling, and tenderness of the gums.
- Improves breath by removing bacteria trapped below the gumline.
- Stabilizes teeth and may reduce the risk of tooth loss.
- Supports better control of systemic conditions linked with gum disease.
- Creates a healthier foundation for restorations such as crowns and implants.
How Periodontics Services Work
- Comprehensive evaluation: medical history review, a periodontal charting of pocket depths, and dental X-rays to assess bone levels.
- Non-surgical therapy: scaling and root planing (deep cleaning) removes plaque and calculus below the gumline and smooths root surfaces so gums can reattach.
- Adjunctive care: localized antibiotics, antimicrobial rinses, or desensitizing agents may be recommended for select areas.
- Reevaluation: healing is checked in about four to six weeks to measure pocket depth changes and modify home care.
- Periodontal maintenance: a tailored cleaning schedule, often every three to four months, helps prevent relapse.
Frequently asked questions
Questions about periodontics care? Here is what patients ask most, or reach out to our team.
What is periodontics and how is it different from a regular cleaning?
Periodontics focuses on preventing and treating gum and bone disease. A regular cleaning polishes the teeth above the gums. Periodontal therapy targets bacteria and calculus below the gumline to treat infection and reduce pocket depths.
What are the early signs of gum disease?
Watch for red, swollen, or bleeding gums, bad breath, gums that pull away from teeth, and tooth sensitivity. Later signs include loose teeth and changes in your bite. Early evaluation helps prevent progression.
How does scaling and root planing work, and will it hurt?
Scaling removes plaque and calculus from below the gums. Root planing smooths the root to help the tissue reattach. The area is numbed, so most patients feel pressure but not pain. Some tenderness and sensitivity afterward are normal and short-lived.
How often do I need periodontal maintenance?
Most patients benefit from maintenance every three to four months. The exact interval depends on your pocket depths, bleeding, home care, and health factors such as diabetes or smoking.
Can receding gums grow back?
Mild inflammation can improve with care, but lost gum tissue does not regrow on its own. Soft tissue grafts may cover exposed roots and reduce sensitivity in appropriate cases.
Does gum disease affect overall health?
Studies show an association between periodontitis and conditions such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Managing gum inflammation supports overall wellness and makes dental treatment more predictable.
Schedule your visit today
Scheduling care should feel simple. Submit your information and our team will reach out to confirm details, answer questions and help you prepare. You can also call for friendly guidance before your visit.
Two Rivers Dentistry
2415 SE 165th Ave., Suite 102
Vancouver, WA 98683
- Monday
- 8am - 3pm
- Tue - Fri
- 8am - 5pm
- Sat - Sun
- Closed