Periodontal Treatment

soft tissue treatment patient

PERIODONTAL Treatments - Baton Rouge, LA

Gum Tissue Bothering You?

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Feel and Look Better

Gums provide an essential protective barrier for your teeth. If bacteria begin to invade them, you may develop gum disease, also called periodontal disease. Poor dental hygiene, tobacco use, other health conditions, and heredity factors may all play a part. Left unchecked, gum disease can lead to tooth loss, bone loss, and even serious systemic health problems. Sometimes it’s not the condition of the gums but the amount of tissue that’s your cause for concern. We’ll help you overcome these problems and imperfections with effective periodontal treatment in Baton Rouge, LA.

Renowned cosmetic dentist Dr. John Barksdale has the experience and training to make your gums feel and look their best. Using today’s most advanced laser technology and other innovative, minimally invasive techniques, he’s helped countless patients regain their gum health and their self-confidence. He’s ready to do the same for you!

Common Soft Tissue-Related Issues

  • Tenderness, bleeding, and swelling
  • Gum recession
  • Persistent bad breath
  • Loose teeth
  • Sensitive teeth
  • Pockets between gums and teeth
  • Excessive gum tissue
  • Obstructive tissue
Gum Disease Animation
gum disease graphic

Scalpel-Free, Laser-Based Periodontal Treatment

Dr. Barksdale’s secret weapon against gum disease and other soft tissue conditions is a concentrated beam of light. His PerioLase® MVP-7™ system performs the functions of scalpels, medication, and sutures in one amazing tool. With it he can provide LANAP® (Laser Assisted New Attachment Procedure), an FDA-cleared laser periodontal treatment that instantly destroys disease while leaving healthy tissue intact. He can remove untreatable infected gum tissue (gingivectomy) without sharp instruments. He can remove obstructive frenula—soft tissues which attach your upper gums to your upper lip and your tongue to the bottom of your mouth—to allow you to eat and speak comfortably and normally (frenectomy).

Dr. Barksdale can also use the PerioLase® system to protect your dental implants—your investment in a new smile and a new life. With LAPIP™ (Laser Assisted Peri-Implantitis Protocol), he’ll help you defeat peri-implantitis, an uncommon condition in which your dental implants come loose. This complication is not usually caused by bad implants but by poor gum health that weakens the implants’ supporting structure. You can prevent this in part through regular brushing and flossing. Should you develop peri-implantitis, Dr. Barksdale can eradicate bacteria, stimulate jawbone regrowth, and help your gums reattach around your implants with the laser!

Featured Periodontal Treatments

Chao Pinhole® Surgical Technique
Dr. Barksdale is certified to offer this minimally invasive technique to restore your gums after recession. Many practices still use the old-fashioned method—slicing a piece of tissue from elsewhere in your mouth and suturing it into the recession site. With the acclaimed Pinhole Surgical Technique Dr. Barksdale makes a tiny hole in the gums above the recessed area, pulls down the existing gum tissue, and uses his cosmetic dentistry expertise to reshape it for a full, natural, and attractive appearance. He uses collagen strips to hold your treated gums in place—no sutures needed!
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Soft Tissue Recontouring
When you smile, do you feel that your gums are too dominant? You may have what’s called a “gummy smile,” a condition that makes many people self-conscious. Dr. Barksdale can correct this imbalance between your teeth and gums by removing any excessive gum tissue from some teeth and reshaping it for a consistent, harmonious, balanced look. You’ll never be embarrassed by your gums again.
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Scaling and Root Planing
Gum disease is caused by a sticky film of bacteria called plaque. Plaque is always forming on your teeth, but if not cleaned well, the bacteria in plaque can cause your gums to become inflamed. When this happens, your gums will pull away from your teeth and form spaces called pockets. Plaque then gets trapped in these pockets and cannot be removed with regular brushing. If untreated, gum disease could lead to bone and tooth loss. Dr. Barksdale can remove the plaque buildup through a process called root scaling and planning. This deep cleaning process has two parts. Scaling is when the plaque and tartar are removed from above and below the gumline. Root planning is smoothing out your teeth roots to help your gums reattach to your teeth.
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Osseous Surgery (Flap Surgery)
If you have an advanced stage of gum disease, Dr. Barksdale may have to treat it surgically. During osseous surgery he retracts your gums to access large, hard-to-reach periodontal pockets. He may remove tartar and diseased sections of gum tissue as well as reshape and rebuild sections of your jawbone with bone grafting as part of this process.
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Periodontal Maintenance
Once you’ve undergone periodontal treatment, you’ll return to the office 3 to 4 times a year for periodontal maintenance cleaning. This gives Dr. Barksdale the opportunity to again eliminate any plaque buildup and bacteria below the gumline and help to prevent further bone loss.
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Our Patients tell the story best

Gum Disease Led
to Full Arch Dental Implants
Raymond
Gum Disease and Progressive Tooth Loss Led to Full Arch Dental Implants

Regain Your Gum Health, Esthetics, and Function!