Gum disease can have dire consequences for your smile if it’s left alone for too long, but luckily your periodontist can treat the problem before it grows any worse. However, it’s important to confirm that you fully understand what to expect from the procedure, and that means asking a number of key questions beforehand. Below are 3 examples of things that you should ask your periodontist before you commit to the gum disease treatment process.
1. How Frequently Will Follow-Up Visits Be Needed?
Depending on how advanced your gum disease is, multiple treatments will likely be necessary to keep it under control. As such, you can typically expect to need to schedule a number of follow-up visits after your initial treatment. Many patients will need to have a follow-up performed every three months, but some might require more frequent or less frequent visits than that.
If you talk to your periodontist after they have examined your mouth, they can give you an idea of how often you can expect to need to come in for treatment. This will make it easier to start planning ahead for the future.
2. What Sedation Options Are Available?
Some patients may be anxious about having periodontal work performed and might need help staying calm during their treatment. That’s where sedation comes in. Many periodontists offer oral conscious sedation, which involves taking a pill that puts you in an advanced state of relaxation. IV sedation is also sometimes an option; this method involves a needle that can deliver the sedative directly into a vein in the hand or arm.
If you’re nervous about your upcoming gum disease treatment, it’s worth asking your periodontist about what types of sedation are available; they can help you figure out which option is the best choice in your particular case.
3. What Specific Treatments are Needed?
The specific kinds of treatment that you need for gum disease can vary based on the state of your mouth. Many patients can benefit from scaling and root planing, which is a deep cleaning procedure that focuses on removing plaque and tartar that has built up above and below the gum line. Others may need gum grafting to reverse the gum recession that often occurs due to gum disease.
It’s important to clarify what your gum disease treatment plan will look like before you agree to anything, so be sure to ask about the services that your periodontist is recommending.
In addition to the questions above, you may have a few inquiries of your own. Don’t hesitate to let your periodontist know about them during your initial consultation; the more informed you are about your gum disease treatment, the better!
About the Author
Dr. David Handsman earned his Masters of Dental Surgery in periodontology from the University of Tennessee. He currently holds membership with the American Academy of Periodontology and various other organizations. He provides scaling and root planing in order to help his patients protect their smiles from gum disease. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Handsman at Handsman & Haddad Periodontics in Worcester, visit his website or call (508) 753-5444.
