Periodontal treatment for gum disease in North Raleigh
Control gum infection and protect the foundation around your teeth
Gum disease needs care that matches its stage. At Scanlan Family Dentistry in North Raleigh, Dr. Abigail Scanlan evaluates inflammation, pocketing, buildup below the gumline, and supporting tissues before recommending treatment. We provide non-surgical periodontal care, including scaling and root planing, with re-evaluation and maintenance to help protect the support around your teeth.
Request a Gum Health Evaluation
What Is Periodontal Treatment?
Gum disease begins when bacterial buildup causes inflammation around the teeth. Gingivitis affects the gums without causing the bone loss associated with periodontitis and can often return to health when buildup is removed and daily care improves.
When infection extends below the gumline and begins affecting the bone and connective tissues that support the teeth, the condition is periodontitis. Non-surgical periodontal treatment, including scaling and root planing, is used to remove deposits and bacteria from root surfaces that a routine preventive cleaning cannot adequately reach.
Why This Service Matters
Periodontal treatment addresses the gums and supporting structures, not simply the visible surfaces of the teeth.
Control Infection Below the Gums
Removing bacterial deposits from root surfaces helps reduce the source of periodontal inflammation.
Protect Tooth Support
Periodontitis can damage the bone and tissues that anchor teeth. Stabilizing the disease helps protect the support that remains.
Create a Maintainable Baseline
Re-evaluation and periodontal maintenance help us track tissue response and control future bacterial buildup.
Care Based on Gum Health
Gingivitis, periodontitis, and maintenance after active treatment call for different types of care.
Routine Cleaning for Gingivitis
When inflammation is limited to gingivitis and deeper periodontal destruction is not present, routine professional cleaning and improved home care may be sufficient.
Scaling and Root Planing
Deep cleaning removes plaque, bacteria, and hardened tartar beneath the gumline and smooths root surfaces where deposits collect.
Periodontal Maintenance
After periodontitis treatment, ongoing maintenance is used to control bacterial buildup and monitor gum and supporting-bone stability.
How We Provide This Service
We explain the purpose of each step and confirm the plan before treatment begins.
1) Evaluate Gum Health
We assess inflammation, gum measurements, buildup, symptoms, tooth stability, and appropriate dental images.
2) Plan the Treatment
We explain the findings and determine which areas need care. Scaling and root planing may be divided into sections of the mouth.
3) Clean Root Surfaces
Scaling removes deposits beneath the gumline. Root planing smooths treated root surfaces where bacteria can collect.
4) Re-Evaluate and Maintain
Follow-up assessment reviews healing and pocket measurements so an appropriate maintenance schedule can be established.
What to Expect During Periodontal Treatment
Scaling and root planing is commonly completed in sections of the mouth. Local anesthesia can be used so cleaning beneath the gums can be performed comfortably.
Temporary tenderness or sensitivity can occur as the tissues heal. Your care team will explain home-care instructions and the timing of follow-up evaluation.
Care Between Visits
Professional treatment works alongside daily plaque control and a maintenance schedule matched to your gum health.
Brush and Clean Between Teeth
Daily plaque control is essential because periodontal bacteria can return after treatment.
Keep Periodontal Maintenance
Patients with a history of periodontitis often benefit from maintenance every three to four months. Your interval is based on tissue response and ongoing needs.
Monitor Changes
Report persistent bleeding, swelling, recession, looseness, or changes in the bite rather than waiting for the next routine visit.
Related Care
Use these pages to compare connected services and understand where each option fits.
Routine Dental Cleanings
Explore Routine Dental Cleanings →Comprehensive Dental Exams
Explore Comprehensive Dental Exams →Restorative Dentistry
Explore Restorative Dentistry →Frequently Asked Questions
Open any question for an answer from the current Scanlan Family Dentistry service page.
What is a deep cleaning?
A deep cleaning, also called scaling and root planing, removes bacterial deposits from root surfaces beneath the gumline when periodontitis is present.
How is a deep cleaning different from a routine cleaning?
Routine cleaning is preventive care for generally healthy periodontal support. Scaling and root planing treats infection and buildup deeper beneath the gums. Our comparison of routine and deep dental cleanings explains the diagnostic findings, treatment differences, and follow-up care.
Does gingivitis always require a deep cleaning?
No. Gingivitis without periodontitis can often be managed with routine professional cleaning and improved daily plaque control.
Can periodontitis be reversed?
The bone and connective-tissue loss caused by periodontitis is not restored by deep cleaning alone, but treatment can control infection and stabilize the condition.
Will I be numb for scaling and root planing?
Local anesthesia is commonly used when needed to keep the treated area comfortable.
How many appointments are needed?
Treatment may be completed in one or more visits depending on how many areas need care and the extent of the condition.
What happens after a deep cleaning?
The tissues are allowed to heal, and follow-up evaluation helps determine how well inflammation and pocketing have responded.
Will I need periodontal maintenance afterward?
Patients with a history of periodontitis commonly need an ongoing periodontal maintenance schedule.
Can gum disease return after treatment?
Yes. Continued home care and professional maintenance are important because bacterial buildup can return.
What symptoms should prompt a gum evaluation?
Persistent bleeding, swelling, recession, bad breath, loose teeth, new spacing, or bite changes should be evaluated.
Protecting the Foundation of Your Smile
Periodontal care should address the condition of the gums and the support around the teeth. Our North Raleigh team will explain whether preventive cleaning, scaling and root planing, or ongoing periodontal maintenance is appropriate, so you understand both the treatment and the care that follows.
Request a Gum Health EvaluationLet’s Plan Your Visit
Tell us a little about the visit you need. Our care team will answer your questions and help you schedule with Dr. Scanlan. If a tooth is hurting or your concern is urgent, please call the office.