Non-Surgical Perio Therapy
Effective, non-invasive treatment designed to restore gum health, stop the progression of gum disease, and protect the long-term stability of your smile.
What is Non-Surgical Perio Therapy?
Non-surgical periodontal therapy refers to the range of deep cleaning and preventive treatments used to treat gum disease without the need for surgery. These treatments work by removing the bacteria, plaque, and buildup that have accumulated below the gum line, allowing the gums to heal and reattach to the teeth naturally. For most patients with early to moderate gum disease, non-surgical therapy is the first and often only line of treatment needed to restore gum health.
Non-surgical periodontal therapy is not just a cleaning. It goes significantly deeper than a routine hygiene appointment and is specifically designed to address the bacteria and buildup that are causing active gum disease.
Non-surgical periodontal therapy is tailored to the specific stage and severity of your gum disease. Your provider will evaluate your gum health thoroughly and build a treatment plan focused on stopping the progression of disease and restoring the foundation of your smile.
Here is what most patients can expect from the Non-Surgical Perio Therapy process at a glance:
complete treatment
measurable improvement
after treatment
Types of Non-Surgical Perio Therapy
Scaling and Root Planning
Scaling and root planing is the most common non-surgical treatment for gum disease and is often the first procedure recommended after a periodontal diagnosis. During treatment your provider carefully removes plaque, tartar, and bacteria from below the gum line and smooths the root surfaces of the teeth to make it harder for bacteria to reattach. Most patients require two to four appointments to complete a full mouth treatment, and many see significant improvement in gum health within four to eight weeks of completing the procedure.
Periodontal Maintenance
Periodontal maintenance is a specialized cleaning appointment designed for patients who have been treated for gum disease and need more thorough ongoing care than a standard routine cleaning provides. Unlike a regular hygiene appointment, periodontal maintenance goes below the gum line to remove bacteria and buildup from the areas most vulnerable to reinfection. Most patients on a periodontal maintenance schedule visit their provider every three to four months to keep gum disease from returning and protect the results of their treatment long term.
Antibiotic Therapy
Antibiotic therapy is used alongside scaling and root planing to help eliminate bacteria that deep cleaning alone may not fully address. Small doses of antibiotic medication are placed directly into the gum pockets after treatment, where they work to reduce infection and support the healing process from the inside. It is a targeted and minimally invasive addition to non-surgical treatment that can significantly improve outcomes for patients with moderate to advanced gum disease.
When Is Non-Surgical Perio Therapy Recommended?
Early to moderate gum disease
Gum disease that has been caught before significant bone or tissue loss has occurred and can still be effectively treated without surgical intervention.
Bleeding or inflamed gums
Gums that bleed regularly during brushing or flossing and show signs of active infection or inflammation that requires
targeted treatment.
Deep gum pockets
Spaces between the teeth and gums that have deepened due to bacteria and buildup and need to be cleaned below the gum line to restore proper attachment.
Preventive maintenance
Patients who have previously been treated for gum disease and need ongoing periodontal care to prevent the condition from returning or progressing further.
What To Expect
Periodontal evaluation
Your provider examines your gums, measures pocket depth, and reviews X-rays to assess the extent of gum disease and determine the right course of treatment.
Deep cleaning treatment
Your provider performs scaling and root planing to remove bacteria and buildup from below the gum line, typically completed over two to four appointments.
Ongoing maintenance
Once active treatment is complete your provider schedules regular maintenance visits to monitor your gum health and protect your results over time.
After Your Treatment
Consistency at home plays a big role in protecting your results. Here is what to keep in mind after non-surgical perio therapy.
Daily
Oral hygiene
Brush twice a day and floss daily, paying close attention to the gum line where bacteria tends to accumulate and reinfection is most likely to occur.
As Directed
Prescribed care
If your provider has recommended a prescription rinse or antibiotic therapy, follow the instructions closely to support healing and prevent bacteria from returning.
Ongoing
Maintenance visits
Keep all scheduled periodontal maintenance appointments. These visits are essential for monitoring your gum health and catching any signs of recurrence early.
Looking for a more advanced option?
Surgical Perio Therapy
For cases where gum disease has progressed beyond what non-surgical treatment can address, surgical perio therapy offers targeted procedures to repair and restore gum and bone health.
Learn more →
Related Resources
your non-surgical periodontal treatment.
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