Gum Disease Treatment - Wareham, MA

Strong Gums Provide an Essential Foundation for Healthy Smiles and Lives

patient being greeted at the front desk of the dental center

Prompt Gum Disease Treatment is Essential for Preventing Serious Repercussions

Periodontal disease is a progressive gum infection caused by harmful bacteria that leads to inflammation, bleeding, and damage to the structures supporting your teeth. Left untreated, gum disease can cause issues including chronic pain and gum recession, then progress into severe periodontitis, the leading cause of tooth loss in adults.


Embark on a journey towards impeccable periodontal health at Southcoast Dental in Wareham, MA. Our dedicated team, led by Dr. James Kiehl, excels in providing extensive periodontal care and maintenance, ensuring your gums are as healthy as your teeth. Your periodontal health is a window to your overall well-being, and our team is here to guide you through every step of your oral care routine, starting with gingivitis treatment to stop gum disease from progressing!

oung Woman Pulling Her Lip And Demonstrating Irritated Gums

Recognize the Signs and Symptoms of Gum Disease

Restore Healthier, Happier Gums with Expert Soft Tissue Treatment

At Southcoast Dental, we specialize in periodontic dentistry, offering a range of services from routine periodontal cleaning to advanced soft tissue treatment procedures. Our diverse procedures and approach are tailored to meet your individual needs, ensuring a healthier smile with every visit.

This procedure in Wareham, MA, involves reshaping or recontouring gum tissue and sometimes bone around a tooth or teeth to create a new gum-to–tooth relationship. Functional crown lengthening is necessary when there isn’t adequate tooth structure to place a crown or bridge. Aesthetic crown lengthening is performed to expose more of the tooth surface, improving the appearance of a gummy smile.

Gum recession leaves tooth roots exposed and vulnerable to decay, instability, and tooth loss. During this procedure, your gums are numbed with a local anesthetic, and you may also choose to receive oral conscious sedation.

Donor tissue is commonly taken from the roof of the mouth and surgically placed to cover as much of the exposed root area as possible. Then the area is sutured closed, and the graft integrates and blends in with existing gum tissue over a period of 3 to 6 months.

The goal of this two-part, nonsurgical procedure in Wareham, MA, is to remove plaque and tartar (calculus) that’s responsible for inflammation and gum disease. During scaling, plaque and tartar are removed from teeth and below your gumline with an ultrasonic scaling tool. The root planing procedure removes any remaining debris and toxins, then your tooth roots are smoothed to promote healing and prevent future bacterial growth.

Soft tissue damaged by gum disease pulls away from your teeth, leaving deep periodontal pockets that trap plaque and bacteria. During a gingivectomy, diseased gum tissue is carefully removed with a scalpel or a laser, allowing healthy gums to reattach to teeth after the pockets are cleaned. Restoring the health of your gums ensures a tight seal that effectively blocks new bacteria from inflicting future damage.

Soft tissue frenums are small bands of connective tissue that attach the tongue to the floor of the mouth and the lips to the gums. A lingual frenectomy, also known as tongue-tie surgery, resolves difficulties associated with a tight or thick frenum, including speech, breastfeeding, swallowing, and eating.

A labial frenectomy, also known as lip-tie surgery, can prevent gaps between the two front teeth and gum recession, as well as improve breastfeeding, eating, and speech. While frenectomies are commonly performed in infants and children, adults also undergo this simple procedure for improved oral function, either with a laser or scalpel.

LANAP (Laser-Assisted New Attachment Procedure) is the first and only FDA-approved laser procedure that’s scientifically proven to regenerate soft and hard tissue lost to gum disease. The PerioLase® MVP-7™ laser targets the source of the inflammation without harming or removing any healthy gum tissue.

With a fiber the width of three human hairs, the minimally invasive laser slows or stops gum attachment loss and decreases pocket depth. Because this is a scalpel- and suture-free procedure, you’ll experience less pain and faster resolution of your gum infection in Wareham, MA.

LAPIP (Laser Assisted Peri-Implantitis Procedure) is an advanced, minimally invasive treatment designed to save failing dental implants affected by peri-implantitis. Developed as a variation of LANAP, the PerioLase MVP-7 is used to remove harmful bacteria and diseased tissue while preserving healthy bone and implant surfaces.

LAPIP helps stimulate natural healing and regeneration around failing implants without the need for scalpels or sutures. This gentle yet effective approach is highly effective at reducing discomfort, promoting long-term implant stability, and helping patients avoid implant revision surgery.

Your Go-to Practice for Trusted and Effective Gum Disease Solutions

Dr. Kiehl and our team have extensive experience diagnosing, treating, and managing gum disease at every stage, using advanced techniques to restore oral health and protect your smile. We focus not only on effective treatment but also on patient education and preventive care to help prevent gum disease from progressing. To make care more accessible, we offer flexible financing options that enable you to receive essential gum disease treatment without added financial stress.

staff member helping patient at the front desk of the dental center
Periodontal Health FAQ - Southcoast Dental

Common Questions About Restoring And Maintaining Good Periodontal Health

How Often Should I Visit a Periodontist for Maintenance Care?

Regular check-ups are crucial for maintaining your periodontal health. We recommend visiting Southcoast Dental for periodontal maintenance every 3 to 4 months. Our personalized care plans are designed to address your unique dental health conditions, optimizing the frequency of your visits for the best possible outcomes. Our expertise in gum disease treatments, including tooth scaling and periodontal cleaning, ensures a thorough clean while promoting long-term periodontal health.

How Do I Know if My Periodontal Maintenance Routine is Effective?

Indicators such as reduced redness, bleeding, and swelling are signs of effective periodontal maintenance. Regular consultations at Southcoast Dental offer valuable insights into the effectiveness of your maintenance routine, enabling our team to adjust your care plan as needed for optimal results.

What is a Deep Cleaning, and How Often is it Necessary?

Deep cleaning encompasses dental scaling and root planing. It's crucial to recognize the signs of gum disease to schedule prompt gum disease treatment in Wareham, MA. The frequency of deep cleaning teeth is determined based on your individual gum health, ensuring effective treatment and prevention of further issues.

Can Diet and Nutrition Affect Periodontal Health?

Sugary, processed, and acidic foods feed harmful bacteria, which can lead to plaque, inflammation, and gum disease. A balanced diet rich in vitamins, minerals, fiber, and Omega-3 Fatty Acids plays a significant role in maintaining good periodontal health. The team at Southcoast Dental is here to provide dietary advice, promoting an individualized approach to your periodontal care.

A Healthy Mouth Starts with Your Gums!

Schedule a visit for gum disease treatment in Wareham, MA, today!