SRP and Osseous Surgery

Gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, is caused by the bacteria found in plaque, sticky substance that forms on teeth and hardens over time, turning into calculus. Plaque and calculus provide irregular surfaces that allow bacteria to attach easily. If left untreated, the bacteria eat away at gum tissue and bone, resulting in infection and tooth loss.

Our doctors provide specialized periodontal treatment to remove plaque and calculus called scaling and root planing. This procedure is the most common and conservative form of treatment for periodontal disease before it becomes severe. This technique allows us to clean between teeth and gums, all the way down to the roots.

Scaling removes the plaque and calculus that has hardened on the surfaces of the teeth, especially at and below the gum line. Because plaque is more likely to stick on rough surfaces, root planing smoothes the surfaces of the tooth roots below the gums.

Periodontal disease occurs when bacteria settle underneath the gums tissues, slowly destroying it and the bone underneath. Pockets form between the teeth and the gums allowing bacteria and calculus to become trapped. When periodontal disease has progressed to a more severe state, scaling and root planing alone may no longer be effective to eliminate these pockets. Osseous surgery, which is also known as pocket reduction therapy, may be required to close these pockets and keep plaque and bacteria from gathering in those spaces.

Our doctors and team will reduce the progression of periodontal disease by removing disease-causing bacteria and then securing the tissue back into place. They will also smooth any irregular surfaces on your damaged bone. This limits areas where bacteria can hide and allows your gum tissue to reattach to healthy bone. It also reduces the depth of your periodontal pockets.