Gum Disease Treatments - Richland, WA

If you have periodontal disease that has become more severe, our periodontist and team typically recommend scaling and root planing. This treatment is a deep-cleaning procedure that removes harmful bacteria from beneath the gumline.

The first step of this treatment is called scaling. During this step, our periodontist and team remove plaque and tartar, also known as dental calculus, from your teeth. This prevents bacteria from establishing colonies and gaining further hold in your mouth. The second step is root planing. The roots of your teeth are thoroughly cleaned by removing bacteria and smoothing the area to prevent reinfection or inflammation.

Dr. Puri usually uses local anesthesia during this treatment to help ensure your experience is as comfortable as possible. We may also suggest splitting the treatment into multiple visits, allowing one area of the mouth to be focused on during each visit.

Scaling and root planing is sometimes used in conjunction with other periodontal treatments, such as antibiotics, to help achieve the best results. Dr. Puri will discuss treatment options with you to help you get the most out of periodontal treatments and halt the progression of gum disease

When a cavity, filling, or crack in a tooth extends below the gum line, the existing structure is inadequate to support a restoration. During a functional crown lengthening, a small amount of soft tissue and sometimes bone is removed to expose more of the tooth to place a crown.

When excessive gum tissue covers too much of the tooth surface, this is referred to as a gummy smile. A cosmetic crown lengthening at Implant & Periodontal Associates Northwest recontours gum tissue to achieve a more balanced and attractive tooth-to-gum ratio.

Periodontal disease, trauma, aging, and aggressive brushing can cause gum recession, thereby leading to tooth-root exposure in severe cases. The goal of a soft tissue or gum graft in Richland, WA, is to either cover the exposed root(s) or add to existing gum tissue to prevent further tissue loss. A soft tissue graft reduces or eliminates sensitivity to hot and cold foods, improves smile aesthetics, and ultimately prevents bone and tooth loss.

The lingual frenum connects the tongue to the floor of the mouth. When its attachment restricts tongue movement—known as being tongue-tied—it can interfere with nursing in infants and later speech development. A lingual frenectomy reduces an overly restrictive frenum to restore normal tongue mobility and can be performed with a scalpel or laser.

The labial frenum connects the lips to the gum tissue near the front teeth, and when it’s too close to the teeth, this condition is commonly referred to as lip-tied. A labial frenectomy can improve breastfeeding, as well as prevent gingivitis, gum recession, and a gap between the two front teeth in children and adults.

When gum disease progresses, deep pockets that form between the gums and teeth can trap plaque and bacteria, further worsening the gum infection. As a periodontal disease treatment in Richland, WA, the goal of a gingivectomy is to remove diseased tissue, reduce the size of pockets, and start the healing process.

A gingivectomy can also be done to improve the appearance of a gummy smile by removing excess gum tissue. For both of these purposes, a gingivectomy can be performed using either a scalpel or a soft tissue laser.

LANAP is an advanced protocol that uses the PerioLase® MVP-7™ laser to precisely target and remove diseased gum tissue and bacteria from deep pockets. Because this procedure is scalpel- and suture-free, healthy tissue is left unharmed, resulting in less discomfort, minimal gum recession, and faster recovery compared to conventional surgery. LANAP in Richland, WA, is a highly effective yet gentle method for treating gum disease that prioritizes patient comfort and well-being.

Although dental implants are designed to last for decades or a lifetime, bacterial buildup can cause inflammation or bone loss around an implant and lead to failure. The LAPIP protocol (Laser Assisted Peri-Implantitis Procedure) is a minimally invasive laser treatment designed specifically to save infected implants.

Using the same soft tissue laser as LANAP, harmful bacteria and contaminants are vaporized, the implant surface is disinfected, and a clot is formed. Using the body’s own stem cells, healthy soft and hard tissue begin to regenerate, encouraging the reintegration of the dental implant into the underlying bone.