Gum disease progresses silently in its early stages, often causing minimal discomfort until significant damage occurs. Englewood residents may dismiss bleeding gums as normal or ignore persistent bad breath, yet these symptoms signal bacterial infection requiring professional treatment. Left unaddressed, periodontal disease destroys the bone and tissue supporting your teeth, eventually leading to tooth loss and complications affecting your overall health.
The Englewood periodontists at Advanced Periodontics of N.J. provide patients with comprehensive gum disease treatment ranging from non-surgical therapy to advanced laser procedures. Dr. Peto and Dr. Matei lead our practice, bringing specialized training in periodontics and implant dentistry. Dr. Matei’s credentials include LANAP certification, faculty appointments at Columbia University College of Dental Medicine and the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine, and published research on periodontal regeneration. Her expertise ensures you receive treatment grounded in current scientific evidence.
Recognizing Gum Disease Stages
Gum disease begins with gingivitis, the mildest form caused by plaque accumulation along the gum line. Your gums respond to bacterial irritation by becoming inflamed, appearing red or purple instead of healthy pink. They may feel tender and bleed when you brush or floss. Many people experience persistent bad breath as bacteria multiply in their mouths. At this stage, damage remains reversible with professional cleaning and improved home care.
Without intervention, gingivitis advances to periodontitis. The inflammation extends deeper, causing gums to pull away from teeth and form pockets. These spaces collect more bacteria, food particles, and debris beyond the reach of your toothbrush. Your body’s immune response to ongoing infection begins breaking down the bone and connective tissue anchoring your teeth. According to the American Dental Association, chronic periodontitis affects 47.2% of adults over 30 in the United States and can lead to loss of tissue and bone supporting the teeth. As bone loss continues, teeth may shift position, feel loose when you touch them, or create gaps where food gets trapped. Advanced periodontitis can result in tooth loss and affect your ability to chew properly.
Non-Surgical Treatment Options
Early to moderate gum disease often responds to scaling and root planing, a deep cleaning procedure targeting areas below the gum line. We remove plaque and tartar deposits from tooth surfaces and roots, eliminating the bacterial film causing inflammation. Root planing smooths rough areas on roots where bacteria tend to accumulate, making it harder for new colonies to establish themselves. The smoothed surfaces also encourage your gums to reattach to teeth as inflammation subsides.
We typically complete scaling and root planing over several appointments, treating different sections of your mouth during each visit. Local anesthesia keeps you comfortable while we work below the gum line. After treatment, your gums should appear pinker, feel firmer, and bleed less during daily oral care. You’ll need to maintain diligent home hygiene and return for regular maintenance cleanings to prevent disease recurrence.
Some cases benefit from antimicrobial therapy alongside scaling and root planing. We may apply antibiotic gel directly into periodontal pockets or prescribe oral antibiotics to help control bacterial infection. These medications work in conjunction with mechanical cleaning to reduce inflammation and promote healing.
Laser Therapy for Advanced Disease
When gum disease reaches moderate to severe stages, traditional surgery may have been your only option in the past. Now we offer LANAP therapy, a laser-based treatment providing effective results with less invasiveness. The laser targets diseased tissue within periodontal pockets while leaving healthy gums intact. It eliminates bacteria and infected tissue, then stimulates blood clot formation that promotes regeneration of bone and connective tissue.
The laser treatment offers several advantages over conventional surgery. Most patients experience minimal discomfort during and after the procedure. You can typically return to work and normal activities the same day. The laser’s precision reduces bleeding and swelling compared to cutting with a scalpel. Healing occurs faster, and the risk of infection decreases since the laser sterilizes the treatment area.
LANAP therapy requires two sessions, approximately one week apart. During each appointment, we treat half of your mouth, allowing you to chew comfortably on the untreated side between visits. After completing both sessions, you’ll follow a specific post-treatment protocol including dietary modifications and gentle oral hygiene to support healing.
Surgical Intervention for Severe Cases
Severe bone loss may necessitate osseous surgery to restore healthier gum and bone contours. This procedure involves accessing the affected areas by temporarily repositioning your gum tissue. We then remove bacteria, infected tissue, and damaged bone. The remaining bone is reshaped to eliminate irregular surfaces and deep pockets where bacteria accumulate.
After reshaping the bone, we secure the gums back in position, fitting them snugly around your teeth. This creates shallower, more manageable pockets you can maintain through regular brushing and flossing. The procedure reduces areas where bacteria can hide from your daily oral care efforts, making long-term disease management more achievable.
Some patients require guided tissue regeneration to rebuild lost bone and connective tissue. During this procedure, we place special membranes between the gum tissue and bone. These barriers prevent fast-growing gum cells from occupying space where slower-growing bone should regenerate. Over time, your body rebuilds the supporting structures damaged by periodontal disease.
Maintaining Results After Treatment
Successful gum disease treatment requires ongoing commitment to oral hygiene and professional maintenance. You’ll need to brush twice daily using proper technique, floss or use interdental cleaners once daily, and possibly incorporate antimicrobial rinses into your routine. These habits remove bacterial plaque before it causes new inflammation.
Regular periodontal maintenance cleanings become essential after completing active treatment. These appointments typically occur every three to four months rather than the standard six-month intervals for patients without gum disease history. During maintenance visits, we measure pocket depths, remove any new tartar buildup, and polish your teeth. These frequent checkups allow us to detect and address any signs of recurring disease before significant damage occurs.
Your overall health also influences periodontal disease risk. Smoking severely impairs healing and increases disease severity, so quitting tobacco provides substantial benefits. Managing conditions like diabetes helps control inflammation throughout your body, including your gums. Reducing stress, eating a nutritious diet, and getting adequate sleep support your immune system’s ability to fight oral bacteria.
Begin Treatment at Advanced Periodontics of N.J.
Gum disease rarely improves without professional intervention, and delaying treatment allows progressive damage to your teeth’s supporting structures. Whether you’re experiencing early symptoms like bleeding gums or facing advanced disease with loose teeth, we provide the appropriate level of care to address your condition. Dr. Peto and Dr. Matei bring specialized training to every case, with Dr. Matei’s recognition including a Fulbright Junior Scholarship and the Educator Award for Excellence in Teaching and Mentoring in Periodontics from the American Academy of Periodontics.
Your initial examination includes comprehensive periodontal probing to measure pocket depths around each tooth, digital x-rays to assess bone levels, and evaluation of your overall oral health. This thorough assessment allows us to determine disease severity and recommend the most appropriate treatment approach. We operate on a fee-for-service basis with multiple payment options, including financing plans for more extensive procedures. Englewood residents can take the first step toward healthier gums by contacting our office to schedule their consultation.
