Periodontics in Braintree, MA

Periodontics is the branch of dentistry focused on the gums and the bone that supports your teeth. At South Shore Dental Group in Braintree, our team treats every stage of gum disease — from the earliest signs of gingivitis through advanced periodontitis requiring surgical intervention — using techniques that range from gentle deep cleanings to laser-assisted therapy and gum grafting.

Gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults, and it's almost always preventable when caught early. The challenge is that the early stages are usually painless, which is why patients often don't know they have it until significant damage has occurred.

Signs You May Need to See a Periodontist

• Gums that bleed when you brush or floss
• Red, swollen, or tender gums
• Gums that have started to pull back from your teeth (recession)
• Persistent bad breath that doesn't improve with brushing
• Loose teeth or teeth that have shifted position
• Pus around the gumline
• A change in the way your teeth fit together when you bite

If any of these sound familiar, schedule a periodontal evaluation. Our dental cleaning visits include a periodontal assessment, but a dedicated evaluation is appropriate when symptoms are already present.

The Stages of Gum Disease and How We Treat Each

Gum disease progresses in well-defined stages, and the treatment changes significantly at each stage. Understanding where you are helps you understand what your treatment will involve.

Stage 1: Gingivitis (Reversible)

Gingivitis is inflammation of the gums caused by plaque buildup at and below the gumline. Gums may be red, slightly swollen, and bleed when brushed. Bone loss has not yet occurred, which means gingivitis is fully reversible with professional cleaning and improved home care.

Treatment: A thorough professional cleaning followed by improved daily brushing and flossing. Most cases resolve within two to four weeks.

Stage 2: Mild to Moderate Periodontitis

If gingivitis goes untreated, the inflammation extends below the gumline. Bacteria form pockets between the teeth and gums, and the bone that supports the teeth begins to break down. Pockets at this stage typically measure 4–6 mm.

Treatment: Scaling and root planing (deep cleaning) under local anesthesia, often paired with localized antibiotic therapy. Most patients are scheduled in two visits, treating one half of the mouth at a time. Followed by periodontal maintenance cleanings every three to four months to prevent return.

Stage 3: Advanced Periodontitis

At this stage, pockets are deeper than 6 mm, significant bone has been lost, and teeth may be loose or shifting. The goal becomes saving teeth and stabilizing the disease.

Treatment: May involve surgical pocket reduction, gum grafting to cover exposed roots, bone grafting to rebuild lost support, or laser-assisted periodontal therapy. In some cases, hopeless teeth are extracted and replaced with dental implants once the disease is controlled.

Periodontal Treatments We Offer

Our office is equipped to handle the full spectrum of periodontal treatment, which means most patients can complete their full treatment plan with us rather than being referred elsewhere.

Scaling and Root Planing (Deep Cleaning)

The cornerstone treatment for early to moderate periodontitis. Using ultrasonic instruments and specialized hand tools, we remove plaque and hardened tartar from below the gumline along the tooth roots, then smooth the root surfaces so the gums can reattach.

Laser-Assisted Periodontal Therapy

For appropriate cases, dental lasers can target diseased gum tissue and bacteria with precision while preserving healthy tissue. This often means less bleeding, less discomfort, and faster healing compared to traditional surgical techniques.

Periodontal Maintenance

Once active disease has been controlled, the focus shifts to preventing return. Periodontal maintenance visits are similar to regular cleanings but include deeper sub-gumline cleaning and more frequent monitoring — typically every three to four months rather than every six.

Gum Grafting

For patients with significant gum recession, soft tissue grafting can restore lost gum tissue, protect exposed tooth roots from sensitivity and decay, and improve the appearance of the smile.

Extraction and Implant Planning

When teeth are too damaged to save, we can plan and place dental implants in the same office, coordinating the timing carefully so periodontal disease is fully controlled before implants are placed.

Why South Shore Dental Group for Periodontal Care

Specialty-Level Care Without Leaving the Building

Many general practices send patients with gum disease to a separate periodontal office. Our all-in-one model means your periodontal treatment, ongoing maintenance cleanings, and any restorative work that follows are coordinated by one team in one location.

Decades of Periodontal Experience

Our team has been treating periodontal disease in the South Shore community for over 30 years, and the longevity matters. Periodontal disease is rarely a one-and-done treatment — it requires ongoing monitoring and maintenance for life. The same team can manage your case for decades.

Conservative First, Surgical Only When Needed

We always start with the least invasive treatment that's appropriate for your stage of disease. Most patients never need periodontal surgery. When advanced treatment is necessary, we walk you through every option in plain language before any decisions are made.

Easy Access from Across the South Shore

Our Braintree office is convenient for patients from Hingham, Quincy, Weymouth, Milton, Norwell, and surrounding communities. Many patients have been with us for periodontal care since the early 2000s.

What are the signs of gum disease?

Common signs of gum disease include bleeding gums when brushing or flossing, red or swollen gums, gum recession, persistent bad breath, loose teeth, and pus around the gumline. Early gum disease (gingivitis) is often painless, which is why regular dental visits are important for early detection.

What is the difference between scaling and root planing and a regular cleaning?

A regular cleaning removes plaque and tartar from above and just below the gumline for patients with healthy gums. Scaling and root planing is a therapeutic deep cleaning for patients with periodontal disease that removes bacteria from deep below the gumline along the tooth roots, typically performed under local anesthesia.

Can gum disease be reversed?

Gingivitis, the earliest stage of gum disease, is fully reversible with professional cleaning and improved home care. Once gum disease has progressed to periodontitis and bone loss has occurred, it cannot be reversed but can be controlled and prevented from worsening with appropriate treatment and ongoing periodontal maintenance.

How often do periodontal patients need cleanings?

Patients with a history of periodontal disease typically need maintenance cleanings every three to four months rather than the standard six-month interval. This more frequent schedule prevents bacteria from re-establishing in the deeper periodontal pockets.

Does insurance cover periodontal treatment?

Most dental insurance plans cover periodontal treatment including scaling and root planing, though coverage levels vary. South Shore Dental Group verifies benefits before treatment and offers financing options for any out-of-pocket costs.