Perioscopy
Rockwall & Paris, Texas
At Northeast Texas Periodontal Specialists, we use advanced dental technology to provide our patients with effective treatment while keeping their comfort and safety a priority. One of the tools we use is the perioscope, a specialized dental instrument that allows us to see areas beneath the gumline that are difficult to examine with traditional methods. The perioscope features a tiny camera that is inserted into the periodontal pocket, providing real-time images of the tooth roots on a monitor with magnification of up to 48 times. This allows us to identify plaque, tartar, and other deposits that might otherwise go undetected.
During a traditional scaling and root planing procedure, also known as a deep cleaning, some tartar deposits can remain hidden beneath the gums. These deposits can contribute to ongoing inflammation and make periodontal disease more difficult to manage. With perioscopy, we can locate and remove these deposits more precisely, allowing for a more thorough cleaning of the affected areas. For some patients with moderate to advanced gum disease, this approach may help reduce the need for more invasive periodontal treatment.
To learn more about perioscopy and how it can help improve your periodontal health, please review the information below. To schedule an appointment, contact our Rockwall office at (972) 771-8640 or our Paris office at (903) 785-4832.
Perioscope
Treatment Options for Gum Disease
Gum disease causes pockets to form in the area where the gums have detached from your tooth, due to calculus accumulation. To determine if you have gum disease, we will use a thin probe to measure the depth of your gum pockets. A healthy gum pocket should not be deeper than 4mm. Pockets that are between 4- 6 mm in depth indicate early to moderate periodontitis, and pockets deeper than 7mm indicate severe periodontitis. If gum disease has developed and is not corrected, the bacterial plaque and calculus will continue to grow, which in turn will cause your gums to detach and eventually cause the supporting bone to deteriorate, eventually leading to tooth loss.
If periodontal disease is present, a deep teeth cleaning or scaling and root planing procedure will be recommended in order to remove the bacterial plaque and calculus that has accumulated on the root surfaces of your teeth, below your gum line, and address rough areas, abrasions, or pits to make it more difficult for plaque to accumulate and give your gums an opportunity to reattach to the cleaned root surface.
While performing this procedure, we will utilize advanced technologies like the perioscope to ensure you receive a thorough deep cleaning. The perioscope monitor allows us to closely visualize and examine deeply buried deposits of calculus that would not otherwise be detectable. The perioscope also allows us to do more effective root planing by displaying the root surface in greater detail, which allows us to perform a more thorough removal of deposits. Because we are able to identify and remove these deposits, we can effectively correct moderate and even severe cases of periodontal disease that would otherwise require surgical intervention. In fact, the perioscope allows us to achieve even better results than surgery, which does not allow for as close and thorough an examination of your teeth.
Before beginning the deep teeth cleaning/scaling and root planing procedure, we will administer a local anesthetic to ensure you do not experience any discomfort, and dental sedation if necessary. Once you are sufficiently numbed and comfortable, the deep teeth cleaning will begin with removal of plaque and calculus that has accumulated on the surfaces of your teeth and below your gum line. We frequently offer dental sedation for this procedure to help with patient comfort, since the procedure can be longer. Next, we will remove rough areas, abrasions, or pits in order to inhibit plaque from embedding and multiplying on the tooth root surface and to enhance your gums' ability to reattach. With the support of the periodontal endoscope, we can remove the bacterial plaque and calculus (scaling).
Periodontal Disease
How To Avoid
Although performing a deep cleaning utilizing the perioscope will halt the progression of gum disease, it is important to continue practicing good oral hygiene habits to prevent gum disease from returning. This includes brushing and flossing daily and scheduling regular checkups every three to six months. These regular examinations allow us to monitor the health of your gums and teeth and address issues as early as possible. Patients with generally healthy gums and teeth may only require a checkup every six months, whereas patients who are at a greater risk of developing gum disease may need periodontal maintenance every three to four months.
Periodontal Endoscope
Cost to Treat
The cost of the periodontal endoscope used as part of your deep cleaning will be factored into the total cost of whatever procedure you are having performed. Additional factors that will determine the total cost are whether dental sedation is necessary, how many visits are required, and whether the procedure that is performed is covered under your dental insurance plan. It is also important to factor in the cost of the initial visit and any follow-up appointments that may be necessary.
For patients who are covered under a dental insurance plan, although we are not in-network, we will gladly help prepare and file your claim to ensure you receive your maximum reimbursement. Payment is due in full on the day of treatment. We accept cash, check, Visa, Discover, Mastercard, and American Express. If you are concerned about the cost of receiving treatment, please know that we offer our patients Compassionate Finance, which offers a variety of payment solutions with fixed interest rates and manageable monthly payments, and CareCredit®, which offers 24-month payment plans with zero interest, as well as low-interest financing for 24-60 months.
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