Gum Disease Treatment in Chicago, IL

What gum disease treatment at AAP Dental includes

Gum disease treatment at AAP Dental includes a periodontal examination with pocket measurements and digital X-rays, scaling and root planing over 2 visits, a re-evaluation at 4 to 6 weeks, and periodontal maintenance cleanings every 3 to 4 months.

• Periodontal examination: the pocket depth around each tooth is measured in millimeters at 6 points, and X-rays show bone loss. Pockets of 4 millimeters or more indicate periodontitis.
• Scaling: plaque and tartar are removed from the root surfaces below the gum line with ultrasonic and hand instruments.
• Root planing: the root surface is smoothed so the gum can reattach and bacteria have fewer places to collect.
• Re-evaluation: pockets are re-measured at 4 to 6 weeks, because healthy gums tighten by 1 to 2 millimeters after treatment.
• Maintenance: cleanings every 3 to 4 months replace the standard 6 month interval, because bacteria repopulate deep pockets within about 90 days.

Gum disease treatment cost and insurance

AAP Dental quotes gum disease treatment cost per quadrant of the mouth, because scaling and root planing is billed by quadrant and most patients need 2 to 4 quadrants, and most traditional dental insurance plans cover a percentage of scaling and root planing and of periodontal maintenance as basic or major services.

AAP Dental accepts most traditional dental insurance plans and does not participate in HMO plans. Payment options include CareCredit financing, flexible payment plans, cash, checks, and credit cards. Call (773) 763-3600 to verify your periodontal benefits before the first treatment visit.

What gum disease treatment treats and the results to expect

Gum disease treatment treats gingivitis, which is inflammation limited to the gum, and periodontitis, which is infection that has destroyed bone around the teeth, and the results are gums that stop bleeding within 2 to 4 weeks, pockets that shrink by 1 to 2 millimeters, and fresher breath. Bone that is already lost does not grow back, so treatment stops further loss rather than reversing it.

• Bleeding on brushing stops because the bacterial film that inflames the gum is removed.
• Bad breath improves because the sulfur-producing bacteria live in the deep pockets that are cleaned.
• Loose teeth stabilize when the infection stops and the gum reattaches to the smoothed root.
• Periodontitis is linked in research to diabetes control and heart disease, which is why physicians ask patients to treat it.

Who gum disease treatment is for

Gum disease treatment suits adults with pockets of 4 millimeters or more, bleeding or receding gums, bone loss on X-rays, or loose teeth. A standard dental cleaning is enough for patients with pockets of 1 to 3 millimeters and no bone loss.

Smokers, patients with diabetes, pregnant patients, and patients taking medications that cause dry mouth are at higher risk and are examined more often. Teeth with advanced bone loss that cannot be saved are removed with a tooth extraction and replaced with a dental implant or removable denture after the infection is controlled.

Before, during, and after gum disease treatment

Gum Disease Therapy at AAP Dental follows 3 stages: preparation, the visit itself, and aftercare, and each stage has its own instructions below.

Before gum disease treatment

The periodontal examination maps every pocket and X-rays record the bone level, which becomes the baseline for the re-evaluation. Tell the team about blood thinners, diabetes medication, and heart conditions.

During gum disease treatment

1. Visit 1, about 60 to 90 minutes: local anesthetic on one side of the mouth, scaling and root planing of 2 quadrants.
2. Visit 2, 1 to 2 weeks later: the other side of the mouth is treated the same way.
3. An antibacterial rinse or a locally placed antibiotic is added to the deepest pockets when the dentist recommends it.
4. Re-evaluation at 4 to 6 weeks: pockets are re-measured and any site deeper than 5 millimeters is retreated or referred.

After gum disease treatment

Gums feel tender for 2 to 3 days and teeth feel sensitive to cold for 1 to 2 weeks as the gums shrink back to the root. Brush twice a day with a soft brush, clean between the teeth once a day with floss or interdental brushes, and keep maintenance visits every 3 to 4 months, because periodontitis returns in patients who go back to a 6 month interval.

Gum disease treatment vs a regular cleaning

Gum disease treatment differs from a regular cleaning by depth and anesthetic: a cleaning polishes the crowns and the first 3 millimeters below the gum, while scaling and root planing cleans root surfaces in pockets of 4 millimeters or more under local anesthetic. Choose treatment when the dentist measures deep pockets or sees bone loss, and a cleaning when the gums are healthy.

Why choose AAP Dental for gum disease treatment in Chicago

• Dr. Eduard Vernovsky, DDS and Dr. Myung Jin Nam, DDS examine the gums at every cleaning, so periodontitis is caught at the 4 millimeter stage rather than when teeth loosen.
• Digital X-rays at AAP Dental record bone levels for comparison at each re-evaluation.
• Scaling and root planing, maintenance cleanings, and any extractions or implants that follow are done at one Harlem Avenue office.
• Saturday hours until 4:00 PM fit the 3 to 4 month maintenance schedule, and CareCredit and payment plans are available.

Gum disease treatment near Harlem Avenue: location and hours

AAP Dental Group sits at 5037 N Harlem Ave, Chicago, IL 60656, at the corner of Harlem Avenue and Foster Avenue on the Northwest Side. Patients come from Norwood Park, Harwood Heights, Norridge, Edison Park, and Park Ridge, all within 15 minutes of the office. Weekday hours at AAP Dental run Monday 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM, Tuesday 9:00 AM to 6:30 PM, Wednesday 9:30 AM to 6:00 PM, and Thursday and Friday 9:30 AM to 6:30 PM. Saturday hours run 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM, and the office closes on Sunday.

Gum Disease Therapy questions

Gum Disease Therapy patients at AAP Dental Group ask these 5 questions most often, and each answer below is the dentist’s short reply.