The importance of periodontal health in New York – Brooklyn, NY

While periodontal issues are entirely preventable with routine care, gum disease remains the leading cause of tooth loss for adults in the US. At TriBeCa Dental Associates in New York, NY, the team offers education and treatments to protect your periodontal health. Our offices in Manhattan and Brooklyn focus on safe and effective holistic treatments to keep your teeth healthy and your breath fresher for as long as possible.

How does periodontal disease affect your overall health?

Gum disease can significantly impact your smile’s appearance, but the full effects go much deeper than your appearance. Beyond pain, sensitivity, and tooth loss, infections in your gums can add stress to your immune system and contribute to inflammatory issues in your body. Bacteria can also spread to your bone and travel through your bloodstream throughout your body. Oral bacteria have been linked to many chronic conditions, including heart disease, diabetes, and Alzheimer’s disease.  

While the best way to address periodontal disease is to prevent it from happening in the first place, there are a variety of treatments to clear infections from your gums, as well as prevent them from reoccurring. At TriBeCa Dental Associates, we focus on holistic therapies that harness your body’s natural ability to heal. We prefer to use minimally invasive procedures that can help avoid surgeries to remove infected tissues or teeth.

Treating periodontal disease

If we find signs of gum disease at the time of your exam, we will create a treatment plan that’s best suited for your case. Our periodontal health professionals can use Cone Beam CT scanning technology to get a clear picture of how deep infections have spread. That allows us to plan procedures to address the extent of your infections fully. Most patients will need a few sessions of scaling and root planing to remove tartar and bacteria from periodontal pockets around their teeth. Our team can improve the effectiveness of scaling and root planing with ozone therapy to sterilize the pockets, encourage your gums to reattach to your tooth, and strengthen your enamel.

We can further target treatment using salivary testing and microscopic biofilm analysis to identify the exact bacteria causing infections and select the best medications to complement our therapies. In some cases, we may recommend surgical procedures to clear out infected tissues or add a gum graft to protect your tooth roots from infection. To learn more about how we can help, contact our offices in Manhattan (212) 671-3749 or Brooklyn (718) 618-9698 today and set up your consultation.

Non-Surgical Periodontal Treatment FAQs

What impact does a periodontal disease have on your overall health?

Gum disease can substantially influence the aesthetics of your smile, but the repercussions go far deeper than that. In addition to causing pain, sensitivity, and tooth loss, gum infections can stress your immune system and lead to inflammatory conditions.

What is the most effective way to treat periodontal disease?

While preventing periodontal disease is the best approach to handle it, several treatments are available to eliminate infections from your gums and prevent them from recurring.

What are the treatment options for periodontal disease?

Cone Beam CT scanning technology can help periodontal health specialists determine how deep infections have progressed. Most patients will require a few scaling and root planing appointments to eliminate plaque and bacteria from the periodontal spaces surrounding their teeth.

How might scaling and root planing be made more effective?

The effectiveness of scaling and root planing can be enhanced by using ozone treatment to disinfect the pockets, stimulate your gums to reconnect to your tooth, and strengthen your enamel.

What is non-surgical periodontal treatment?

Non-surgical periodontal treatment refers to procedures used to manage gum disease without surgery. The most common methods are scaling and root planing (deep cleaning), where plaque and tartar are removed below the gum line, and the tooth roots are smoothed to encourage gum reattachment. Other non-invasive treatments may include antimicrobial agents, laser therapy, or medications to reduce inflammation and control bacterial growth. These treatments aim to halt the progression of gum disease and restore gum health, often preventing the need for more invasive surgical interventions.

How does scaling and root planning treat gum disease?

Plaque and tartar accumulation behind the gum line is the focus of a deep cleaning process called scaling and root planing. During scaling, a dentist or hygienist removes plaque and tartar from the tooth surfaces, especially in areas that are hard to reach with regular brushing. Root planing smooths the tooth roots to discourage bacteria from accumulating and helps the gums reattach to the teeth. This process reduces gum inflammation, helps control infection, and can stop the progression of gum disease. It’s an effective treatment for managing periodontitis in its early and moderate stages.

What are the benefits of non-surgical periodontal treatments?

Non-surgical periodontal treatments offer several key benefits. They are less invasive than surgical procedures, meaning reduced discomfort, shorter recovery time, and a lower risk of complications. These treatments can effectively control gum disease, reducing inflammation and promoting healthier gums. Scaling and root planing, for example, can help stop the progression of periodontitis and prevent tooth loss. Additionally, non-surgical treatments are typically more cost-effective compared to surgical options. For many patients, these procedures can help manage gum disease without more aggressive interventions.

Is laser therapy an option for treating gum disease?

Yes, laser therapy is an advanced non-surgical option for treating gum disease. It uses targeted light energy to remove infected tissue and bacteria from the periodontal pockets, promoting healing while minimizing damage to healthy tissue. Laser therapy can also help stimulate gum regeneration and reduce inflammation. This treatment is less invasive than traditional surgery, resulting in less discomfort and faster recovery. It’s often combined with scaling and root planning to enhance the overall outcome. Your dentist will determine if laser therapy is suitable for your specific case.

What can I expect during a non-surgical periodontal treatment?

Your hygienist or dentist will initially numb the treatment region to guarantee comfort before beginning non-surgical periodontal procedures including scaling and root planing. They will then use specialized tools to remove plaque and tartar buildup from the teeth and below the gumline. In some cases, antibiotics or antimicrobial solutions may be applied to help reduce infection and promote healing. The procedure may take one or more visits, depending on the severity of your gum disease. Afterward, you may experience some mild discomfort or sensitivity, but this typically subsides within a few days.

How long does it take to recover from non-surgical periodontal treatments?

Recovery from non-surgical periodontal treatments is usually quick, with most patients experiencing minimal discomfort. After scaling and root planing, you may have gum tenderness, swelling, or sensitivity for a few days. Over-the-counter pain relievers and a soft diet can help ease these symptoms. Maintaining good oral hygiene, such as gentle brushing and flossing, promotes healing. In most cases, you can resume normal activities immediately after the procedure. Our team will provide specific aftercare instructions and schedule follow-up visits to monitor your progress and ensure successful healing.

Are non-surgical periodontal treatments effective for severe gum disease?

Non-surgical periodontal treatments can effectively manage early to moderate stages of gum disease, but they may not be sufficient for advanced periodontitis. For severe cases where significant bone or tissue loss has occurred, surgical options like flap surgery or bone grafting may be necessary to address the problem fully. However, non-surgical treatments such as scaling and root planing, good oral hygiene, and regular dental visits can still be crucial in halting disease progression and maintaining gum health. Our team will recommend the best course of action based on your condition.

MEET OUR TEAM

Dr. Bahram Hamidi DDS, NMD

Dr. Bahram Hamidi

Dr. Sara Shahi DDS, NMD

Dr. Sara Shahi

Dr. Cinzia Dinoi DDS

Dr. Cinzia Dinoi


At Tribeca Dental Associates, our incredible team assists patients to achieve beautiful smiles. Although our first focus is your comfort, we have specialists in every field of dentistry who care deeply about our patients. Hence, you can trust and be rest assured of our skills and expertise.

Our dedicated, courteous, and experienced doctors comprise Bahram Hamidi DDS, NMD, Sara Shahi DDS, NMD, Cinzia Dinoi DDS, and Neethi Dalvi DDS. They will be glad to assist you with all your dental health requirements.

We have the right team and the excellent work ethic to ensure you are adequately cared for from start to end.