Periodontal Disease Treatment -- Glendale, AZ
Independent · Doctor-Owned
Nearly half of adults have some form of periodontal disease. Smile Science offers full-spectrum treatment -- from deep cleaning to laser-assisted therapy and Arestin antibiotic placement.
Gum disease is not just a dental problem. Decades of research have linked periodontal disease to serious systemic health conditions. The bacteria that colonize diseased gum tissue enter the bloodstream and contribute to chronic inflammation throughout the body.
Associations are based on published epidemiological and clinical research. Periodontal treatment does not guarantee prevention of these conditions. If you have a systemic health condition, discuss your periodontal status with both your dentist and your physician.
Periodontal disease progresses silently. Bleeding gums during brushing are often dismissed as normal. Gum recession is gradual enough that patients don't notice it happening. By the time the disease is painful, significant bone loss has already occurred.
Periodontal disease cannot be diagnosed by looking. It requires probing pocket depths at every tooth -- a process that takes time and is often abbreviated or skipped at high-volume practices. Our hygienists complete a full periodontal chart at every new patient visit and annually thereafter.
Tobacco use, diabetes, dry mouth, certain medications, hormonal changes, and genetic predisposition all increase risk. Patients who check multiple boxes need more frequent monitoring -- not just a standard cleaning schedule.
Every hygiene visit at Smile Science includes a structured periodontal assessment. We use the findings to classify disease severity and determine the appropriate treatment pathway.
We measure probing depth at 6 points per tooth and record bleeding on probing, recession, furcation involvement, and mobility. This creates an objective baseline.
Bitewing and periapical X-rays allow us to evaluate crestal bone levels and detect interproximal bone loss not visible on clinical exam.
We review medical history, medications, tobacco use, and family history. Risk factors influence both diagnosis staging and treatment frequency.
We use the current American Academy of Periodontology staging and grading system to classify disease severity (Stage I-IV) and rate of progression (Grade A-C). This guides treatment and recall intervals.
Treatment is matched to disease severity. Mild gingivitis is addressed at a standard hygiene visit. Advanced periodontitis requires a structured multi-appointment protocol.
Deep cleaning below the gumline to remove calculus and bacterial biofilm from root surfaces. Performed under local anesthesia, typically in two quadrant appointments. SRP is the evidence-based first-line treatment for periodontitis Stages I-III.
Minocycline microspheres (Arestin) placed directly into periodontal pockets following SRP. The sustained-release antibiotic continues to act locally for up to 21 days after placement. Our hygienists are certified for local anesthesia and Arestin application.
For patients with Ilse Barranco, RDH as their hygienist, laser-assisted periodontal therapy is available. Laser energy targets diseased tissue and bacterial deposits with precision. Particularly effective for refractory pockets and patients with sensitivity to traditional instrumentation.
After active treatment, periodontal disease requires lifetime management. Perio maintenance appointments (typically every 3-4 months) replace standard cleaning for patients with a history of periodontitis. These include re-charting, targeted debridement, and disease activity monitoring.
Periodontal treatment at Smile Science is delivered by our hygiene team -- registered dental hygienists with clinical training in periodontal disease management. Your doctor reviews your periodontal chart and is involved in treatment planning.
Ilse brings laser-assisted periodontal treatment to patients whose disease has not responded to conventional scaling alone. Her laser certification allows a less invasive approach for deep pockets and for patients with tissue sensitivity.
Marcela focuses on thorough periodontal charting, patient education, and long-term perio maintenance. Her attention to detail in charting ensures that disease activity is caught early and tracked accurately across appointments.
Smile Science is owned entirely by Dr. Dawson and Dr. Turke -- two practicing dentists with no outside investors, no DSO involvement, and no private equity. The doctors making your treatment decisions are the same people whose names are on the practice.
Every visit is with a doctor who has reviewed your complete care history before you sit down.
