Gum Disease Treatment
in Las Vegas.
From a routine cleaning to active periodontal therapy, we start with what your gums actually need — not the same visit for everyone.
Schedule a Cleaning
The silent epidemic.
According to the CDC, nearly one in two American adults age 30 and up has some form of gum disease. It often begins as gingivitis: red, puffy gums that bleed when you brush.
Without treatment, gingivitis can turn into periodontitis, where bacteria in plaque break down the gums and the bone that hold your teeth. It is one of the main reasons adults lose teeth, and research has linked it to heart disease and diabetes. Finding it early and getting the right kind of cleaning can help stop it from progressing.
Which cleaning do you need?
Routine cleanings keep healthy gums healthy; periodontal therapy treats gum disease. Here's how to tell which one you need.
Regular Cleaning (Prophylaxis)
A routine cleaning is preventive care for gums that are basically healthy. The work stays above the gumline, on the parts of the teeth that show.
When is it needed?
- Usually twice a year to stay on track
- No bleeding, and gums look pink and firm
- Shallow pockets, 1 to 3 mm
Deep Cleaning (Scaling & Root Planing)
A deep cleaning treats active gum disease. Hardened tartar and bacteria have worked their way under the gums, so we clean down there to clear them out before they do more damage to the gums and bone.
When is it needed?
- Bleeding, redness or puffiness along the gums
- X-rays show the bone has started to shrink back
- Pockets around teeth 4 mm deep or more
How does a
deep cleaning work?
In scaling and root planing (SRP), we clean the root surfaces under your gums. The goal is to slow or stop gum disease so the gums can heal and tighten back against the teeth. We work to keep you comfortable the whole time.
Local Anesthesia
This cleaning reaches under the gums, so we start by numbing the area with a local anesthetic. What many people notice is pressure or vibration, rather than pain.
Ultrasonic Scaling
An ultrasonic scaler uses high-frequency vibration and a water stream to break up hardened tartar and flush bacteria out of the periodontal pockets.
Root Planing
Last, we smooth the root surfaces. Bacteria have a harder time clinging to smooth roots, and the gums can reattach to a clean surface as they heal.
Frequently Asked Questions
It depends on the stage. Caught early, at the gingivitis stage, gum disease can usually be turned around with a professional cleaning and more careful brushing and flossing. Periodontitis, where bone has already been lost, can't be cured, but it can be controlled: scaling and root planing treats the infected pockets around the teeth, and regular periodontal maintenance visits help keep it in check.
Yes. For a few days, many people notice sensitivity to hot and cold and some tender gums, because root surfaces that were covered in tartar are now exposed. A sensitivity toothpaste can take the edge off, and so can going easy on very hot or icy foods for a few days.
After a deep cleaning, your schedule changes: instead of the standard six-month cleaning, you come in for periodontal maintenance. The bacteria behind gum disease build back up in deep pockets in about 90 to 120 days, so clearing them out every 3 to 4 months gives you the best chance of keeping bone loss from starting again.
Usually, yes. We numb the area we're cleaning, so we typically split the mouth into halves or quarters. One side is done at the first visit and the other a week or two later, so you're never numb on both sides at once.