Our practice may also recommend dental crown lengthening to make a restorative or cosmetic dental procedure possible. Perhaps your tooth is decayed, broken below the gum line, or has insufficient tooth structure for a restoration, such as a crown or bridge. cleaning called scaling and root planing (deep cleaning) will be recommended. In this procedure, tartar, plaque and toxins are removed from above and below the gum line (scaling) and rough spots on the root surfaces are made smooth (planing) while the area is numb. This procedure helps pockets to shrink and gum tissue to heal. Once an area of infected tissues has been cleaned, a localized antibiotic may be recommended to continue the healing process. The antibiotic is placed into the deep pockets and released over thirty days, giving it the best chance to heal. Medications, special prescription mouth rinses and an electric tooth brush may be recommended to help control infection and healing. You will also be given instructions on improving your daily oral hygiene habits and recommended dental cleaning frequency.

If the pockets do not heal after scaling and root planing, periodontal surgery may be needed to reduce pocket depths, making teeth easier to clean.