When bacteria accumulate below your gum line and cause inflammation, infection, and eventual bone loss, you’re dealing with periodontitis. This progressive gum disease represents the advanced stage of periodontal infection and poses a serious threat to your oral health. Without proper intervention, periodontitis can lead to loose teeth, tooth loss, and systemic health complications. Understanding your treatment options and finding qualified care makes all the difference in preserving your smile and stopping this destructive disease in its tracks.
At Middlesex Periodontics & Dental Implants, PC, we provide comprehensive periodontal services designed to address gum disease at every stage. Led by Dr. Daniel Reich, a board-certified NJ periodontist with over 25 years of experience, our East Brunswick practice combines advanced diagnostic technology with proven treatment methods to restore your gum health. Whether you’re experiencing early symptoms or facing advanced periodontal disease, we deliver personalized care focused on saving your natural teeth and rebuilding the supporting structures around them.
No referral is needed to schedule your appointment, making it easy to get the care you need when you need it.
Periodontitis develops when gingivitis goes untreated, allowing bacteria to spread deeper into the tissues and bone supporting your teeth. This infection creates pockets between your teeth and gums where additional bacteria thrive, progressively destroying the ligaments and bone holding your teeth in place. Chronic periodontitis affects 47.2% of adults over 30 in the United States and can lead to the loss of tissue and bone supporting the teeth if left untreated.
Common signs of periodontitis include persistent bad breath, receding gums, tooth sensitivity, loose teeth, and bleeding during brushing or flossing. You may notice changes in your bite or the way your teeth fit together. Some patients experience pain when chewing or see pus forming between teeth and gums. These symptoms indicate active infection and tissue damage requiring immediate professional attention. The longer periodontitis progresses untreated, the more extensive and costly your treatment becomes.
Research continues to link periodontitis with serious health conditions beyond your mouth. Studies suggest connections between advanced gum disease and heart disease, diabetes complications, respiratory infections, and pregnancy complications. Treating your periodontitis protects not just your teeth but your overall health and quality of life.
Addressing periodontitis requires professional intervention tailored to the severity of your condition. Your periodontist evaluates the extent of infection, pocket depths, bone loss, and overall gum health to recommend the most appropriate treatment approach. Options range from non-surgical deep cleaning procedures to advanced laser therapy and surgical interventions.
For early to moderate periodontitis, non-surgical approaches often provide effective solutions. Scaling and root planing serves as the foundation of periodontal treatment, involving deep cleaning below the gum line to remove bacterial deposits and smooth tooth root surfaces. This procedure helps your gums reattach to clean tooth surfaces and reduces pocket depths where bacteria accumulate.
Antibiotic therapy may supplement your scaling and root planing treatment. Topical antibiotics applied directly into periodontal pockets or oral antibiotics taken systemically help control bacterial infection and promote healing. Your periodontist determines the appropriate antibiotic protocol based on the severity and extent of your condition.
Laser dentistry offers a minimally invasive alternative for treating moderate to severe periodontitis. The Laser Assisted New Attachment Procedure (LANAP) uses targeted laser energy to remove diseased tissue while preserving healthy gum tissue. This FDA-cleared protocol promotes regeneration of bone and connective tissue attachment around your teeth. LANAP typically involves less discomfort, minimal bleeding, and faster recovery compared to traditional surgical approaches.
Advanced periodontitis may require surgical treatment to access and clean deep infection sites. Flap surgery involves lifting back your gum tissue to expose tooth roots for thorough cleaning and removing disease-causing bacteria. Your periodontist then secures the tissue back in place, reducing pocket depth and making it easier to maintain clean, healthy gums.
Bone grafting procedures rebuild areas where periodontitis destroyed supporting bone structure. Using natural or synthetic graft material, your periodontist can stimulate new bone growth and provide a stable foundation for your teeth. Soft tissue grafts address severe gum recession by transplanting tissue to cover exposed tooth roots and restore your gum line.
Your periodontitis treatment begins with a comprehensive examination including periodontal probing to measure pocket depths, dental X-rays to assess bone loss, and evaluation of your overall oral health. Dr. Reich develops a customized treatment plan addressing your specific condition, from the extent of infection to your desired outcomes and health considerations.
Treatment typically follows a staged approach. Initial therapy focuses on controlling active infection through scaling and root planing. Follow-up appointments allow your periodontist to monitor healing and determine if additional intervention is needed. Many patients see significant improvement after non-surgical treatment, while others require surgical procedures to fully address their condition.
Maintenance becomes crucial after completing active treatment. Regular periodontal maintenance visits every three to four months help prevent disease recurrence. These appointments involve professional cleaning, pocket depth measurements, and examination for any signs of returning infection. Consistent maintenance visits combined with excellent home care give you the best chance of maintaining your results long-term.
Recovery varies depending on your treatment type. Non-surgical procedures typically involve mild discomfort managed with over-the-counter pain relievers. Surgical treatments may require several days of modified activity and prescribed pain medication. Most patients return to normal activities quickly, with complete healing occurring over several weeks to months as your tissues regenerate.
Your home care routine plays a vital role in treatment success. Proper brushing technique, daily flossing, and using any recommended antimicrobial rinses help control bacterial levels. Avoiding tobacco products significantly improves your healing capacity and reduces your risk of disease recurrence. Good nutrition supports tissue repair and immune function during your recovery period.
Once you’ve addressed active periodontitis, prevention focuses on maintaining your restored gum health. Professional cleanings remove plaque and tartar before they cause new damage. Your hygienist can identify early warning signs of recurring disease and address them promptly. Managing systemic health conditions like diabetes helps your body fight infection and maintain healthy gum tissue.
Reading our gingivitis treatment options blog provides additional insight into preventing gum disease from progressing. Understanding the early stages of periodontal infection helps you recognize symptoms before they advance to periodontitis.
Despite the goal of saving natural teeth, some situations require extraction. Teeth that have lost more than 70-80% of their bone support typically cannot be restored to functional, stable condition. Attempting to save such teeth often prolongs problems without achieving lasting success.
Fractures extending deep below the gum line or into the root structure eliminate saving options. Similarly, teeth with severe root damage from the chronic infection may not respond to treatment. In these cases, extraction followed by replacement with dental implants often provides better long-term outcomes than attempting heroic measures to retain compromised teeth.
Strategic extractions sometimes benefit your overall treatment plan. Removing one or two teeth with the worst prognosis may allow better stabilization of adjacent teeth and more predictable results. Your periodontist discusses these decisions thoroughly, explaining the rationale and presenting alternatives.
Full-mouth reconstruction becomes appropriate when advanced disease has affected most or all teeth beyond practical restoration. Rather than a patchwork approach attempting to save individual teeth with poor prognoses, comprehensive treatment might involve removing remaining teeth and placing implants to support fixed prosthetics. While emotionally difficult, this approach can provide superior function, aesthetics, and long-term stability compared to keeping severely compromised natural teeth.
Your gum health deserves attention from a qualified periodontist who understands the complexities of periodontal disease. At Middlesex Periodontics & Dental Implants, PC, Dr. Daniel Reich brings board certification and decades of clinical experience to every case. As a Diplomate of the American Board of Periodontology and Director and Associate Professor of Periodontics at Touro College of Dental Medicine, Dr. Reich stays current with the latest research and treatment innovations. Our practice combines this advanced knowledge with compassionate care delivered in a comfortable environment.
We understand the concerns you face when dealing with periodontitis. Our team takes time to explain your condition, discuss all available treatment options, and answer your questions thoroughly. We work with many dental PPO plans including Delta Dental Premier and Cigna PPO to help make your treatment accessible.
Don’t let periodontitis threaten your smile and health any longer. No referral is needed to begin your care, so you can take control of your periodontal health without delay. Don’t let periodontitis threaten your smile and health any longer. Contact our East Brunswick office today to schedule your comprehensive periodontal evaluation with Dr. Reich.
