Periodontal Therapy
Personalized Periodontal Therapy for Healthier Gums
Your gums are the foundation of your smile–and essential to your overall health. At The Dental Hub, we take gum care seriously because untreated periodontal disease can progress quickly, leading to tooth loss and other health complications. Whether you’ve noticed early symptoms like bleeding or swelling, or your last cleaning uncovered deeper concerns, we’re here to help.
Our experienced dentists–Dr. Anthony DiNapoli, Dr. Daniel Lebowitz, and Dr. Kyle Zumfelde– provide comprehensive periodontal treatments for patients in Bexley, Lancaster, and the surrounding Columbus area. We focus on personalized care that targets your stage of gum disease while supporting long-term oral hygiene habits.
What is Periodontal Disease?
Periodontal disease, also known as gum disease, is an infection of the tissues that support your teeth—primarily the gums, bone, and ligaments. It typically starts when plaque, a sticky film of bacteria, builds up along the gum line. If not removed through daily brushing, flossing, and regular dental visits, this bacteria can trigger inflammation and infection.
The earliest stage of gum disease is gingivitis. It’s mild and fully reversible with professional care and good at-home care. But without treatment, it can advance to periodontitis–a more serious form of the disease. At this stage, the infection causes your gums to pull away from your teeth, creating pockets that trap bacteria and lead to bone loss, tooth loss, and severe impacts on your overall health.
Certain risk factors like smoking, diabetes, and a weakend immune system can increase your chances of developing gum disease, making prevention and early detection even more important.
Periodontal Disease Treatment
Gum disease starts with plaque and bacteria building up along the gum line, leading to inflammation and infection. In its earliest stage—gingivitis—you may notice symptoms like bad breath, tender gums, or slight bleeding while brushing. If left untreated, it can progress to periodontitis, which can lead to gum recession, tooth loss, bone loss, and even increase your risk for serious health conditions like heart disease or stroke.
At The Dental Hub, we take a personalized approach to periodontal care. We begin with a thorough exam and may recommend non-surgical or surgical options based on how advanced your gum disease is. The common types of periodontal therapy we offer include:
- Scaling and root planing – Deep cleaning to remove plaque and tartar below the gum line
- Antibiotic therapy – To reduce bacteria and support healing
- Ongoing periodontal maintenance – Regular cleanings to keep gum health on track
- Referral coordination – For advanced surgical treatments like gum grafts or pocket reduction surgery, if necessary
Early diagnosis makes a big difference. Catching gum disease before it escalates can mean fewer invasive treatments and better outcomes for your long-term periodontal health.
Scaling and Root Planing
When gum disease advances beyond the surface, professional scaling and root planing is often the first step toward healing. This deep cleaning procedure removes plaque, tartar, and harmful bacteria from below the gum line. Then, we smooth out the tooth roots to encourage the gum tissue to reattach to the teeth.
Performed comfortably under local anesthesia in our dental office, scaling and root planing helps stop the progression of the disease while relieving inflammation and discomfort. For many patients with moderate chronic periodontitis, it’s the most effective non-surgical therapy to halt further damage and stabilize the supporting structures of your teeth.
Ridge Preservation
When a tooth is lost due to advanced gum disease or other dental issues, the surrounding jawbone can begin to shrink or collapse over time. This bone loss can make future options like dental implants more challenging. That’s where ridge preservation comes in. It’s a procedure we perform after tooth extraction to help maintain the natural shape and volume of the jawbone.
Placing a bone graft in the socket immediately after extraction encourages natural bone regeneration and protects the attachment site for future dental work. It’s a proactive step toward better outcomes—and fewer complications down the road.
Keep Your Smile on the Right Track
We know no one enjoys hearing the words “gum disease,” but with early action and the right team in your corner, it’s a highly manageable condition. At The Dental Hub in Columbus, OH, our dentists take a patient-centered approach, offering clear guidance, clinical expertise, and practical tools to help you stay on top of your oral health between visits. Call to schedule an appointment.