ARESTIN for Gum Disease

Gum disease is the #1 cause of adult tooth loss in the United States. If you don’t practice proper oral hygiene on a daily basis, you can develop gingivitis (the earliest stage of gum disease), which if left untreated can lead to periodontitis (the final stage of gum disease). Gingivitis is reversible, however, periodontitis is not. If your gum disease moves past the stage of gingivitis, our doctors at Bridge Smile Dental Group P.A. may need to apply ARESTIN to the gums, an antibiotic that is used in adjunct to scaling and root planing.  

Scaling and root planing is an effective gum disease treatment. In this procedure, our doctors use tools to clean plaque and tartar from your teeth and roots below the gum line. During the procedure, our doctors utilize ARESTIN, an antibiotic that contains microspheres smaller than grains of sand. ARESTIN is placed directly on your gums and has the power to kill bacteria so your gums can heal better than with scaling and root planing alone. In one single visit, our doctors can add ARESTIN to the pocket between your gum and tooth. It is a painless procedure, with effective results.

If are due for a dental checkup, please give us a call. To learn more about ARESTIN as well as services we provide at the practice, visit www.bridgesmilesdental.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Bridge Smile Dental Group P.A. in Somerville, NJ, call 908-725-0400.

Scaling and Root Planing Heals Your Gums

If you have a severe case of gum disease, our doctors at Bridge Smile Dental Group P.A. may recommend a non-surgical procedure called scaling and root planing. Perhaps you’ve been neglecting your oral hygiene, or you just haven’t been removing plaque well enough. Whatever the case, over time, dental plaque will slither below the gum line, forming “pockets” between the teeth and gums. The larger these pockets grow, the worse gum disease gets.

Scaling and root planing are common nonsurgical techniques that may prevent the need for more serious procedures in the future, such as periodontal surgery or a root canal. Scaling involves the dentist or hygienist using a hook shaped tool (dental scaler) to remove the plaque and tartar from below the gum line while root planing uses special tools to smooth rough spots on the tooth roots. This process not only removes bacteria and helps reduce plaque buildup, but it provides a smooth surface to reattach to the teeth.

If you have gum disease, give us a call to discuss your treatment options. To learn more about scaling and root planing as well as the services we provide, visit www.bridgesmilesdental.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Bridge Smile Dental Group P.A. in Somerville, NJ, call 908-725-0400.