Non-Surgical Services for Worcester, MA and Beyond

At Handsman & Haddad Periodontics, P.C., in Worcester, our doctors bring years of experience and training to the services they provide, whether those services are surgical or non-surgical. Our goal in providing non-surgical care is to help patients prevent the need for more invasive treatment later on. To learn more about our services, continue reading or give us a call to schedule a consultation.

Scaling & Root Planing

Once our doctors complete a comprehensive exam and develop a treatment plan, the first phase of periodontal therapy is often a procedure known as scaling and root planing.

Periodontal disease is caused by the accumulation of bacterial plaque and tartar on the root surfaces beneath gums. Through scaling and root planing, we help patients remove these deposits, as well as the toxins released by the bacteria in your mouth. The goal of this procedure is to improve the overall quality of your gum tissue prior to surgery and to limit the areas requiring our help.

As part of your treatment, we may also recommend the use of antibiotics or irrigation with anti-microbials (chemical agents or mouth rinses). Both of these can help you control the growth of bacteria and release of disease-causing toxins. In other cases, Dr. Handsman, Dr. Haddad, or one of our hygienists may place an antibiotic in your periodontal pockets following scaling and root planing. This controls infection and encourages faster healing.

After a few weeks have passed, Dr. Handsman or Dr. Haddad reexamine your gums to determine how they’ve responded to treatment with scaling and root planing. At this time, we can make a plan to help you achieve the highest level of oral health, in addition to helping you regain smile function and beauty.

Oral Cancer Screenings

While oral cancer has always been strongly tied to behaviors like smoking and alcohol consumption, more than a quarter of oral cancer patients engage in none of the most common risk factors. That’s why we take oral cancer screenings seriously. Diagnosing and treating this serious disease early increases the patient’s chances of making a full recovery. In too many cases, a diagnosis isn’t made until the disease has reached an advanced stage. Our Worcester team is doing what it can to reverse this trend.