Healthy gums are the foundation of a healthy smile. Dr. Cherry specializes in treating all stages of gum disease, from early gingivitis to advanced periodontitis. Our periodontal treatments are designed to stop disease progression, restore gum health, and protect your teeth for the long term.
Understanding Periodontal Disease
Periodontal disease is a chronic bacterial infection that progressively destroys the gum tissue and bone supporting your teeth. It begins as gingivitis — red, swollen gums that bleed easily — and if left untreated, advances to periodontitis, where deep pockets form between the gums and teeth, bone is lost, and teeth can eventually loosen or require extraction.
The good news is that periodontal disease is treatable at every stage. Our comprehensive approach combines non-surgical therapies with advanced surgical techniques to halt disease progression and restore your periodontal health.
Our Treatment Approach
Dr. Cherry develops a personalized treatment plan based on the type and severity of your periodontal condition. Treatment may include:
- Scaling and Root Planing — deep cleaning below the gumline to remove tartar and bacterial toxins
- Osseous/Flap Surgery — surgical access to clean deep pockets and reshape damaged bone
- Guided Tissue Regeneration — regenerative procedures to regrow lost bone and attachment
- Laser Treatment — minimally invasive laser-assisted therapy for targeted bacterial removal
- Periodontal maintenance — ongoing professional cleanings every 3-4 months to prevent recurrence
Early intervention produces the best outcomes. If you are experiencing bleeding gums, persistent bad breath, or have been told you have gum disease, schedule a consultation with Dr. Cherry to discuss your treatment options.
Related Reading
- Periodontal Disease 101: The Stages, the Signs, and What to Do at Each One. The stages and what each one needs.
- The Hidden Costs of Untreated Gum Disease (Beyond Your Mouth). The wider costs of leaving it.
- advanced gum health and wellness. Keeping gums stable afterwards.
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Can gum disease be reversed?▸
The earliest stage, gingivitis, can usually be brought back to health with treatment and good home care. Once the disease has destroyed bone around the teeth, that bone does not grow back on its own, and the aim shifts to stopping the loss and keeping the teeth you have. This is why the timing of treatment matters more than almost anything else.
Do I need a referral from my dentist to be seen?▸
No. Patients are welcome to book directly, and many do. If your general dentist has referred you, bring any recent x-rays and notes so the same images do not have to be repeated.
What happens if gum disease is left untreated?▸
It progresses quietly. Gum disease is largely without pain until it is advanced, which is why it is often found at a routine visit rather than reported by the patient. Untreated, it leads to bone loss around the teeth, gum recession, loosening and eventually tooth loss.
Is a deep cleaning really necessary, or can I just brush more?▸
Brushing and flossing reach above the gum line. Once bacteria have hardened into tartar below it, in the pocket between tooth and gum, no amount of home care removes it. That is what a deep cleaning, clinically called scaling and root planing, is for.