Periodontal Therapy

The process involves one of our highly trained hygienists using a very powerful gel anesthetic to numb your gum tissue. She then begins the scaling and root planning treatment which thoroughly removes disease causing calculus or tartar where bacteria resides on the root surfaces. During the scaling and root planning process she will make sure that any rough root structure is returned back to its natural state of being polished and smooth to maximize gum tissue growing back to your natural root surfaces. Next the hygienist will take the Diode laser and place the tip of the fiber at the base of the pocket where the periodontal disease is actively deteriorating bone and gum tissue and on a medium to low setting begin lasing the inside of the pocket.

She directs the energy of the laser toward the gum tissue to get the maximum benefit of the laser energy and in a sweeping motion moves the fiber around the tooth to kill the bacteria that is embedded in the gum tissue. By combining the scaling and root planning and the laser we are able to remove the bacteria from both the tooth surface and the gum tissue, thus creating a natural healthy environment for the gums to grow back to the root surface. This has evolved into a predictable, non-painful process to help treat periodontal disease and decrease the need for surgical intervention in our patients. You will return to our Colorado Springs, CO office for a few 15 minute follow-up procedures with the laser in order to maintain a minimal bacteria environment while the gums heal over the next month or two depending upon the severity of the periodontal disease.