Procedures
Non-Surgical Treatment Methods
Healthy gums without surgery has always been Dr. Scharf’s passion. No periodontist on Long Island provides more options to treat gum disease without cut and stitch gum surgery than Dr. Scharf.
Many people think that a trip to the periodontist means gum surgery.
THIS IS NOT THE CASE WITH DR. SCHARF.
In fact, many people who only need nonsurgical services choose Dr. Scharf’s office for the level of expertise he brings to periodontal care. Dr. Scharf was the first periodontist on Long Island to treat gum disease with perioscopy and the first periodontist on Long Island to use the Periolase laser to replace cut and stitch gum surgery.
Non-Surgical Treatments
Treatment methods depend upon the type of disease and how far the condition has progressed. The first step is usually a thorough cleaning that may include scaling to remove plaque and tartar deposits beneath the gumline. The tooth roots may also be planed to smooth the root surface allowing the gum tissue to heal and reattach to the tooth. In some cases, the occlusion (bite) may require adjustment.
Cleaning The Tooth Below The Gum.
Antibiotics or irrigation with antimicrobials (chemical agents or mouth rinses) may be recommended to help control the growth of bacteria that create toxins and cause periodontitis. In some cases, Dr. Scharf may place antibiotic fibers in the periodontal pockets after scaling and planing. This may be done to control infection and to encourage normal healing.
When deep pockets between teeth and gums are present, it is difficult for Dr. Scharf to thoroughly remove plaque and tarter. Patients can seldom, if ever, keep these pockets clean and free of plaque. Rather than use cut and stitch gum surgery, Dr. Scharf uses the Periolase laser to reduce pockets and treat gum disease without cut and stitch gum surgery.
Surgical Services
Dr. Scharf offers conventional flap surgery (cut and stitch gum surgery) for his patients that want that treatment. Most people choose to have their gum disease treated with a laser rather than this method.