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Dr. Scharf is a periodontist performing perioscopy serving Long Island, Suffolk County and Babylon, New York (NY) "In many cases, perioscopy can be as effective as surgery without the cutting, stitching or food limitations that can accompany surgery." The perioscope is a non-surgical procedure to treat periodontal (gum) disease. This means there will be no stitches, cutting, or prolonged healing. The dental field has now joined other medical fields in adopting a minimally invasive treatment that can take the place of surgery. Fiber optic technology has helped medicine in the area of arthroscopy, laprascopic, and gall bladder surgery to name a few. This tiny camera is now used to view a root surface. This advancement can help your doctor and hygienist treat periodontal disease. Engineers have designed special instruments to go way down the root surface to see areas that in the past could only be seen during surgery. The key to periodontal treatment is to clean the root. Now we can do this without the cutting, stitching, and limitations of surgery. What is the Perioscope? Why should I have the perioscope? How is the perioscope different from surgery? How should I take care of my mouth after a perioscope appointment? Will the deep pocket go away after the perioscope is used? What are the possible side effects of the Perioscope? How long is a Perioscope appointment? How much does Perioscopy cost? Can I eat after a Perioscope session? Will I have discomfort during or after the procedure? How will I know if I have Periodontal / Gum Disease again? What are the symptoms of Periodontal / Gum Disease? What causes Gum Disease to recur? What is the Perioscope? Advancements in fiber optic technology now make it possible to have access to plaque (bacteria) and calculus (tartar) under the gums. The perioscope is a tiny camera that lets the hygienist have a new vision of your root surface and remove all the hard deposits in your deep pocket. The root surface is magnified up to 45 times its actual size on a flat screen TV. As the camera goes under the gum, the hygienist can see the shape of the root. She can see where all the disease is hiding and remove it. Even the smallest piece of infectious material can be seen thanks to the camera and it’s remarkable magnification and resolution. return to top> Why should I have the perioscope? If you have a pocket that is over 5mm then you are a candidate. The reason a pocket develops is because there is bacteria deep down that is beyond the reach of you and your hygienist’s instruments. Removing this irritant is the key factor to healing and preventing tooth loss. Another valuable use of periosocope is the diagnosis of root fractures. return to top> How is perioscope different from surgery? Gum surgery is the traditional means of removing the tartar from a root. The perioscope is a revolutionary tool that lets the hygienist see under the gum without cutting. She uses the camera to have a perfect view of the root. Using specialized instruments she can remove the disease causing tartar. The results of surgery and perioscopy are the same in many circumstances. return to top> How should I take care of my mouth after a perioscope appointment? There are no limitations. It is recommended to avoid fibrous foods for 2-3 days. Do your homecare as designed by the hygienist. The doctor may prescribe a medicated mouthwash for you to use for a week after a session. Patients normally report the feeling of cleanliness. Will the deep pocket go away after the perioscope is used? return to top> Will the deep pockets go away after the perioscope is used? Most times yes. Even with surgery there are no guarantees that a pocket will go away. Each person heals differently. We do know that when the root is perfectly clean, the gum can heal. Think of a splinter stuck in your foot. Your foot will not heal and will remain infected until the splinter is removed. Plaque and calculus (tartar) are the splinters under your gums. Perioscopy or surgery are the only tools to effectively clean the root in a pocket that has become 5mm or greater. return to top> What are the possible side effects of the Perioscope? Sometimes there may be sensitivity to cold for a few days. A desensitizer can be placed on the tooth to help eliminate this sensitivity. return to top> How long is a Periscope appointment? Each session is 1-2 hours long. return to top> How much does a Perioscopy cost? Perioscopy usually costs about one third less than a surgical procedure. return to top> Can I eat after a Perioscope session? Yes, once the local anesthetic wears off you can eat without restriction. return to top> Will I have discomfort during or after the procedure? Usually there is no discomfort during or after the perioscope. Local anesthetic is used during perioscopy if you want it to make the gum numb. Afterwards, the gums actually feel better for being cleaned completely. We offer all patients Advil or Tylenol after perioscopy to assure their comfort. return to top> How will I know if I have Periodontal /Gum Disease again? Gum disease is like diabetes. It cannot be cured, it must be controlled over long term. There may be times that certain areas of your mouth are no longer in remission. We know this from regularly measuring the depth of the pockets as well as from x-rays and clinical observations of the gum tissue. return to top> What are the symptoms of Periodontal/Gum Disease? At each visit in our office, a thorough assessment is made of the health of your gums and bone. Symptoms of periodontal disease include bad odor, shifting of teeth, red swollen gums, bleeding gums, and discomfort while chewing or drinking. Unfortunately, it is possible to have gum disease and have none of these symptoms. That is why regular dental checkups are so important. return to top> What causes Disease to recur? There are many factors that may cause gum disease to recur. Stress, poor oral hygiene habits, untimely periodontal maintenance visits, poor eating habits and sometimes genetic tendencies all contribute to recurrence of gum disease. return to top>