Gum Disease Michigan | www.drnemeth.com | 248-357-3100 | Birmingham Bloomfield Hills Periodontist

Many times early stage periodontal disease can be treated with nonsurgical periodontal therapy. This is generally accomplished by a procedure called Therapeutic Scaling & Root Planing.
Therapeutic Scaling & Root Planing is a meticulous treatment designed to remove toxins and bacteria from root surfaces of the teeth allowing the body’s immune system to begin the healing process. It is designed to eliminate bacteria that cause periodontal disease and to shrink periodontal pockets that harbor bacteria. Clinicians will generally use ultrasonic and hand instrumentation to remove plaque and calculus from root surfaces, irrigants to disinfect these areas, and fluoride to de-sensitize root surfaces and prevent decay. In severe cases of periodontal disease, this therapy often precedes surgical therapy. This is done to improve overall tissue quality prior to surgery and also to help limit the areas requiring surgery.

Antibiotics may be used to help control the growth of bacteria that lead to periodontal disease. In some cases, the doctor may place a small amount of antibiotic in the periodontal pocket after therapeutic scaling and root planing. This is done to control infection and to encourage normal healing, and studies have shown that it may be effective at shrinking the size of infected periodontal pockets.


Another option for some clinicians is to offer patients treatment using the Perioscopy System, a fiberoptic technology that allows doctors and hygienists to see deep into gum tissue and around the roots of teeth without surgery. This enhanced viewing provides major support for thorough cleanings and diagnostic capabilities.

Visit http://www.drnemeth.com/ for more information about periodontal disease Michigan and non-surgical gum disease treatments. Or call 248.357.3100 t0 schedule an appointment with a gum disease specialist.

The American Academy of Periodontology
September 2007

Congratulations! You are pregnant or planning on becoming pregnant! Whether or not you want it, everyone you know will be giving you advice about how to eat, sleep, exercise, and take care of your body during this exciting time. However, what some might forget is the importance of taking care of your oral health.

Good oral health is always important. However, it may be especially important for expecting mothers as recent research suggests that pregnant women with periodontal diseases may be up to seven times more likely to have a baby that’s born too early and too small. Preterm births are dangerous for both baby and mother. They are the leading cause of neonatal death and can lead to life-long health problems such as cerebral palsy, mental retardation, and difficulties with blindness and lung disease.

The likely culprit of this possible connection is a labor-inducing chemical found in oral bacteria called prostaglandin. Very high levels of prostaglandin are found in women with severe cases of periodontal disease.

In addition, other research has identified bacteria commonly found in the mouth and associated with periodontal disease in the amniotic fluid of some pregnant women. Amniotic fluid is a liquid that surrounds an unborn baby during pregnancy. Any disruptions in the amniotic fluid, such as a bacterial infection, could potentially be dangerous to both the mother and baby.

Don’t panic! Take your concerns to your dental professional. If you’re diagnosed with periodontal disease, your periodontist might recommend a common nonsurgical procedure called scaling and root planning. During this procedure, your tooth-root surfaces are cleaned to remove plaque and tartar from deep periodontal pockets and to smooth the root to remove bacterial toxins. Research suggests that scaling and root planning may reduce the risk of preterm birth in pregnant women with periodontal disease by up to 84 percent.

If you have questions regarding the link between periodontal disease and pre-term low birth weight babies, visit the American Academy of Periodontology website at http://www.perio.org/ or visit Michigan Periodontist, Dr. Joseph Nemeth on the web at http://www.drnemeth.com/. To request a copy of this AAP article, call Dr. Nemeth at 248.357.3100.

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