Advanced Periodontal Therapy

 When there is an intermediate amount of dental disease, we can perform procedures to stabilize or slow down the progression of the disease. It is important to note that when performing these procedures, this is not a one-and-done fix. These procedures give us the opportunity to keep teeth healthier and longer. However, without modifications to oral hygiene routines, both at home and professionally, we may still need to consider extractions when the dental disease progresses. 

Depending on the type of dental disease and the amount of bone loss, we can consider interventions such as:

• Closed Root Planing: This is a deep cleaning
  of the tooth below the gumline. 
• Open Root Planing: This is an even deeper cleaning
  of the tooth below the gum line; this procedure involves making a small incision.
• Periodontal Flaps: These surgical procedures can help to move the gumline to a more anatomically appropriate location to preserve or improve the health of the tooth.
• Guided Tissue Regeneration: This is where a bone graft is placed to regenerate the bone in an area of bone loss related to dental disease. 

These procedures are not right for every patient or every household. At H.VDOS, our goal is to help pet owners decide if one of these treatments is right for them.