Biological, Noninvasive Treatment

Gum disease is a serious condition which can threaten the health and stability of your smile. At Amity Gentle Dental, we offer holistic periodontal treatment to address the root causes of gum disease. Dr. Chester V. Clark Jr. uses an advanced soft tissue laser and ozone therapy at our Amity, AR, practice to provide effective results without surgery. Our advanced understanding of periodontal disease means we can offer real healing and help you take better care of your gums at home for lasting results.

Our Changing Understanding of Periodontal Disease

For many years, dentists treated gum disease as if it were a condition caused by poor oral hygiene. While your brushing and flossing habits do play a role in the development of gum issues, periodontal disease is actually caused by bacteria. Effective treatment needs to control the bacteria before it advances into the crevices between teeth and under the gums.

At Amity Gentle Dental, we use techniques which target the root causes of your condition for lasting relief.

As a biological dentist, Dr. Clark recognizes the severity of uncontrolled gum disease. Research has shown that periodontal disease can raise your risk for heart disease, diabetes, and a range of other serious conditions. His methods target the causes of the disease by actively eliminating bacteria without performing surgery.

Do I Have Gum Disease?

Periodontal disease is a progressive disorder with two stages: gingivitis and periodontitis. In early stages, this condition may not present with any symptoms. Many patients have gingivitis without noticing, which is why regular exams from Dr. Clark are crucial to your health.

Comparison of healthy versus infected tooth — Periodontal disease can easily spread from the gums to the teeth themselves.

As gum disease progresses, you may start seeing warning signs, such as:

Red, swollen, or tender gums
Gum recession
Gums that bleed during brushing or flossing
Chronic bad breath
Deep pockets between teeth and gums
Changes in the way your teeth fit together
Loose teeth

The most effective way to determine if you have periodontal disease is to schedule an appointment at our office. Dr. Clark can assess your symptoms and determine whether you need periodontal treatment.

Biological Periodontal Treatment

To biologically treat periodontal disease, two basic steps need to occur:

We must thoroughly clean the surfaces of your tooth roots.
We must eliminate the bacteria causing the buildup.

At Amity Gentle Dental, we have found that the most effective way to completely address gum disease is through the use of a soft tissue laser. Both our hygienist and Dr. Clark are certified in the use of this advanced dental device.

During your treatment, we will clean your gums thoroughly and then use a tiny fiber laser to destroy any remaining bacteria within the gum pockets. In some cases, we will follow up the laser treatment with ozone therapy to further disinfect the tooth surfaces and eradicate any remaining bacteria. The benefit of both of these treatments is that they are minimally invasive and leave healthy tissues completely intact.

Follow-Up Care

In healthy gums, pockets measure less than three millimeters, which is about one-eighth of an inch. The number of laser treatments you need will depend on how large the pockets between your teeth and gums are. After a treatment with the laser, we typically see about one millimeter of reattachment.

After you complete your periodontal treatment, it is important to maintain:

A healthy diet
Consistent at-home dental care
Regular visits to our office

Taking proper care of your teeth and gums can restore the health of your smile and prevent the more serious effects of gum disease.

Take Care of Your Smile

Many patients with gum disease find their condition returning over and over again with little relief. At Amity Gentle Dental, we use techniques which target the root causes of your condition for lasting relief. Learn more about our methods by contacting our office online or calling (870) 342-5265 today.