Dentist Silverlake LA

Scaling & Root Planing (Deep Cleaning)

Scaling and root planing — often called a deep cleaning — is the most common and effective non-surgical treatment for gum disease. Unlike a regular cleaning that addresses the tooth surfaces above the gumline, scaling and root planing goes beneath the gumline to carefully remove the hardened tartar, bacteria, and infected deposits that have accumulated in the pockets around your teeth.  Root planing then smooths the root surfaces of the teeth, making it harder for bacteria to reattach and giving the gums a clean, healthy surface to re-adhere to. The procedure is performed with local anesthetic so you feel comfortable throughout. Most patients are treated one half of the mouth at a time, with appointments typically a week or two apart.

After scaling and root planing, many patients see dramatic improvement — gums that were swollen and bleeding become firm and healthy again, and pocket depths reduce significantly. For mild to moderate gum disease, this treatment alone is often all that is needed.

Periodontal Maintenance (Ongoing Gum Health Visits)

Once gum disease has been treated, it requires ongoing monitoring and maintenance to prevent it from returning. Periodontal maintenance visits are different from regular cleanings — they occur more frequently (typically every 3–4 months) and include a re-evaluation of pocket depths, removal of bacteria from below the gumline, and assessment of how well healing has progressed.  Think of periodontal maintenance as keeping the disease in check long-term. Gum disease cannot be permanently cured, but it can absolutely be managed to the point where it stops progressing and your teeth remain stable for life. Staying consistent with your maintenance schedule is the single most important thing you can do after gum disease treatment.

Laser Gum Treatment

We use advanced dental laser technology as an adjunct to gum disease treatment. Laser therapy allows us to precisely target and eliminate the bacteria and infected tissue within gum pockets — with minimal bleeding, reduced discomfort, and faster healing compared to traditional methods alone.  Laser treatment is particularly beneficial for patients with moderate to advanced gum disease, and for areas that have not responded fully to scaling and root planing alone. Many patients are pleasantly surprised by how comfortable the procedure is. There is little to no downtime, and the results in terms of gum tissue healing are excellent.

Gum Recession Treatment & Soft Tissue Grafting

Gum recession — where the gum tissue pulls back and exposes the root of the tooth — is a common problem that causes tooth sensitivity, affects the appearance of your smile, and, if left untreated, can eventually jeopardize the stability of the affected teeth.

Recession can result from gum disease, aggressive brushing, thin gum tissue, teeth grinding, or orthodontic movement. A soft tissue graft addresses recession by placing donor tissue (typically from the roof of your mouth or from a tissue bank) over the exposed root to rebuild the gumline, reduce sensitivity, and protect the tooth long-term.

The result is both functional and cosmetic — your teeth look more proportionate, sensitivity is significantly reduced, and the underlying tooth structure is protected from further exposure.

Gum Contouring (Crown Lengthening)

Sometimes the issue isn’t gum disease at all — it’s a “gummy smile,” where excess gum tissue covers too much of the tooth surface, making teeth appear short or uneven. Crown lengthening is a simple, in-office procedure that removes and reshapes excess gum tissue to reveal more of the natural tooth crown.  Beyond cosmetics, crown lengthening is also performed for functional reasons — for example, when a tooth is broken or decayed below the gumline and needs to be exposed before a crown can be properly placed. It is a routine, low-downtime procedure with a significant impact on smile aesthetics and dental function.

Gum Disease Treatment Before & After Dental Implants

Healthy gums are essential for the long-term success of dental implants. If gum disease is present at the time of implant placement, the same bacteria that destroy natural teeth can attack the bone and tissue around the implant — a condition called peri-implantitis. We always evaluate and treat gum health before placing implants, and monitor implant sites closely at every visit afterward. If you’re considering implants and have a history of gum disease, we’ll create a comprehensive plan to address both.

Bone Grafting to Support Teeth

When gum disease progresses without treatment, it doesn’t just affect your gums — it gradually destroys the bone that holds your teeth in place. As this supporting bone breaks down, teeth can become loose, shift position, and ultimately be lost. Bone grafting can help rebuild what’s been lost by placing graft material into the areas of deficiency around affected teeth, stimulating your body to regenerate new, healthy bone. This helps stabilize teeth that might otherwise need to be extracted, slows or stops further deterioration, and gives the surrounding gum tissue a healthy foundation to reattach to. When performed in combination with periodontal treatment, bone grafting can be a powerful tool in saving teeth that might otherwise seem beyond repair.

Bone Grafting for Future Implant Placement

Dental implants require a certain amount of healthy, dense bone to integrate successfully — and when a tooth has been missing for some time, that bone has often already begun to shrink away. Bone grafting before implant placement rebuilds this critical volume, ensuring there is enough stable bone to support the implant long-term. In many cases, a socket preservation graft is placed at the same appointment as a tooth extraction, which proactively protects the bone before significant loss can occur and simplifies the implant process down the road. Whether you’re planning ahead or rebuilding after bone loss has already happened, grafting is a routine, well-tolerated procedure that sets the stage for an implant that looks natural, functions like a real tooth, and lasts for decades.