Periodontal disease, commonly referred to as gum disease, is one of the most common yet overlooked oral health conditions. It affects roughly 47% of adults in the United States. Left untreated, it can lead to tooth loss and even impact your overall health.

At Calvert Dentistry, we take a proactive, comprehensive approach to treating gum disease. In addition to traditional deep cleaning methods like scaling and root planing, we offer advanced options like laser therapy and antibiotics to promote faster healing and long-term gum health.

What Is Gum Disease?

Gum disease is an infection of the tissues that support your teeth. It typically begins with gingivitis, where the gums become red, swollen, and bleed easily. If not treated, it can progress to periodontitis, which involves deeper pockets of infection, bone loss, and eventual tooth loss.

Common signs of gum disease include:

• Bleeding gums when brushing or flossing
• Persistent bad breath
• Receding gums
• Swollen or tender gum tissue
• Loose or shifting teeth

Gum Disease Treatments at Calvert Dentistry

1. Scaling and Root Planing (Deep Cleaning)

Scaling and root planing is often the first line of treatment for patients with early to moderate periodontal disease. We use specialized tools to:

• Remove plaque and tartar from below the gumline (scaling)
• Smooth the tooth roots to discourage bacteria from reattaching (planing)

This non-surgical deep cleaning helps reduce inflammation and allows the gums to reattach to the teeth more effectively.

2. Laser Therapy

For more advanced cases, or to complement scaling and planing, we may use dental lasers to gently disinfect and remove infected gum tissue. Laser therapy offers several benefits:

• Minimally invasive with less bleeding
• Promotes faster healing
• Precisely targets bacteria while preserving healthy tissue
• Reduces discomfort during and after treatment

Laser therapy allows us to treat gum disease more thoroughly and with greater precision than traditional methods alone.

3. Arestin Local Antibiotic Therapy

We often apply Arestin, a powerful antibiotic placed directly into periodontal pockets after deep cleaning, to reduce bacteria and inflammation further. These tiny, dissolvable microspheres release medication over time to:

• Eliminate infection below the gumline
• Prevent bacteria from returning
• Support the healing of gum tissue

Why Prompt Gum Disease Treatments Matters

Gum disease doesn’t just affect your mouth. Studies have linked periodontal infections to serious health issues such as:

• Heart disease
• Diabetes complications
• Respiratory issues
• Pregnancy risks, like preterm birth

Treating gum disease early and thoroughly protects your oral health and overall well-being.

Let Us Help Keep Your Gums Healthy

At Calvert Dentistry, we want to help you maintain healthy gums for life. Our experienced team will create a personalized gum disease treatment plan that may include scaling and planing, laser therapy, and antibiotics to restore your gum health. Don’t ignore bleeding gums or gum tenderness. Contact us today to schedule a periodontal evaluation and take the first step toward a healthier, more confident smile.

Routine dental visits do more than clean your teeth; they give us a window into your oral health. At Calvert Dentistry, we’re committed to offering advanced, patient-focused care, which is why we include an iTero digital scan at every checkup. This quick, noninvasive technology gives us a highly accurate 3D model of your teeth and gums, helping us detect issues earlier, track changes over time, and offer personalized treatment recommendations.

What Is an iTero Scan?

The iTero scanner is a small, handheld device that captures thousands of images per second to create a precise 3D digital model of your mouth. Unlike traditional X-rays, it’s completely radiation-free. Scanning takes just a few minutes and involves no discomfort or mess. Patients often comment on how easy and impressive the experience is compared to old-school impressions or bite trays.

Why We Perform an iTero Scan at Every Visit

1. Real-Time Monitoring of Your Oral Health

Your teeth and gums can change between visits—sometimes in ways that aren’t immediately visible during a visual exam. The iTero scan allows us to compare your current scan to previous ones to track:

• Tooth wear or grinding (bruxism)
• Gum recession
• Shifting or crowding
• Changes in bite alignment

This early detection helps us intervene before minor issues turn into big problems.

2. More Accurate Diagnoses and Treatment Planning

The precision of an iTero scan supports more accurate diagnoses and treatment recommendations. Whether we’re monitoring a cavity, planning for a crown, or evaluating your bite, the digital scan ensures our decisions are based on the clearest, most detailed view possible.

3. A Clearer Picture for You

We believe informed patients make better decisions about their care. With iTero’s interactive 3D images, you can see what we see, which means you’ll understand exactly what’s going on in your mouth and why we might recommend specific treatments.

4. Essential for Invisalign® Treatments

If you’re interested in Invisalign® or are already wear clear aligners, iTero is a key part of your journey. It enables us to:

• Simulate what your smile will look like after treatment
• Track progress with millimeter-level accuracy
• Ensure aligners are working effectively and make adjustments if needed

Experience the Difference at Calvert Dentistry

Including an iTero scan in every checkup allows us to give you the best possible care. By building a digital record of your oral health over time, we can make more informed decisions, catch issues early, and help you maintain a healthy, beautiful smile for years to come.

If you haven’t experienced an iTero scan yet, your next visit is the perfect time. It’s fast, comfortable, and the cost is included as part of your routine checkup. At Calvert Dentistry, we believe your dental care should be as advanced and personalized as possible, and iTero helps us deliver on that promise. Schedule your next checkup today and experience the difference that digital dentistry can make.

Choosing to invest the time and financial resources into straightening your teeth is a big decision, and with so many treatment options available, it can be tough to know which one is right for you. Clear aligners have become a popular alternative to traditional braces, and for good reason. They’re discreet, comfortable, and designed to fit into your everyday life. But while they work well for many people, they’re not the right solution for everyone. We’ll help you explore whether clear aligners are a good fit for your smile goals and lifestyle.

What Are Clear Aligners?

Clear aligners like Invisalign® are transparent, removable trays that gradually shift your teeth into alignment. They’re a popular alternative to metal braces, offering a more discreet and flexible orthodontic experience. Clear aligners are designed to handle many common alignment concerns, including:

• Mild to moderate crowding or spacing issues
• Gaps between teeth
• Mild overbite, underbite, or crossbite

However, it’s important to note that they may not be suitable for complex bite issues or severe orthodontic cases. Your dentist can help determine if Invislaign® can effectively address your alignment issues.

Key Factors to Consider

Even if your smile concerns fall within the ideal range, there are a few lifestyle and behavioral factors that can influence whether clear aligners are a good fit for you:

1. Commitment to Wear Time

For best results, your aligners must be worn 20 to 22 hours every day. You’ll remove them only for eating, drinking anything besides water, and brushing your teeth. If you think you might forget or be tempted to take them out often, another option might be better suited for you.

2. Strong Oral Hygiene Habits

Since aligners fit snugly next to your teeth, food and plaque can easily get trapped. During treatment, it’s important to brush and floss after every meal to prevent tooth decay and gum irritation.

3. Personal Discipline

Clear aligners give you freedom, but you must be responsible about wearing and caring for them. If you’re prone to losing things or skipping routines, fixed braces may be a more predictable solution.

The Best Way to Know: A Professional Evaluation

Clear aligners are ideal if you want a treatment that won’t interfere with your appearance, whether for work, social events, or everyday life. They’re virtually invisible and allow you to smile confidently throughout the process.

While this guide offers helpful criteria, the only way to know if clear aligners are right for you is to consult a dentist. At Calvert Dentistry, we provide personalized evaluations using digital scans and treatment planning to determine whether Invisalign® clear aligners will help you achieve your smile goals. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.