Periodontics
Periodontal Care & Gum Disease Treatment in Apex, NC
At Tomasheski Family Dentistry, we believe healthy teeth start with healthy gums, and that’s exactly why periodontal care is part of the everyday work we do for families in Apex, NC. Periodontics is the branch of dentistry that focuses on the structures that hold your teeth in place: your gums, the bone underneath them, and the connective tissue that ties it all together. When those structures are healthy, your smile has a strong foundation. When they’re not, problems can creep in quietly.
If you’re looking for gum disease treatment that’s thorough, honest, and delivered by a team that treats you like family, we’d love to welcome you into our office.
What Is Periodontics?
Periodontics covers the health of everything surrounding your teeth, not just the teeth themselves. Think of your gums, jawbone, and connective tissue as the foundation of a house. You can have beautiful teeth, but if the foundation underneath is weak, everything built on top of it is at risk.
That’s why we treat gum health as a core part of every checkup, not an afterthought. Strong, healthy gums keep your teeth anchored, reduce your risk of infection, and support your overall oral health for the long run.
What Are the Signs of Gum Disease?
Gum disease often starts quietly, which is part of what makes it tricky. Many patients don’t realize anything is wrong until a routine visit brings it to light. Here are the signs we tell our patients to watch for between visits:
- Bleeding gums, especially when brushing or flossing
- Persistent bad breath that doesn’t go away with brushing
- Gum pain or tenderness
- Noticeable tartar buildup along the gumline
- Teeth that feel loose or shifted
If any of these sound familiar, it’s worth getting checked out sooner rather than later. Catching gum issues early almost always makes treatment simpler.
What Is Periodontics?
Periodontics covers the health of everything surrounding your teeth, not just the teeth themselves. Think of your gums, jawbone, and connective tissue as the foundation of a house. You can have beautiful teeth, but if the foundation underneath is weak, everything built on top of it is at risk.
That’s why we treat gum health as a core part of every checkup, not an afterthought. Strong, healthy gums keep your teeth anchored, reduce your risk of infection, and support your overall oral health for the long run.
What Are the Signs of Gum Disease?
Gum disease often starts quietly, which is part of what makes it tricky. Many patients don’t realize anything is wrong until a routine visit brings it to light. Here are the signs we tell our patients to watch for between visits:
- Bleeding gums, especially when brushing or flossing
- Persistent bad breath that doesn’t go away with brushing
- Gum pain or tenderness
- Noticeable tartar buildup along the gumline
- Teeth that feel loose or shifted
If any of these sound familiar, it’s worth getting checked out sooner rather than later. Catching gum issues early almost always makes treatment simpler.
Experience our unique approach to dentistry. Schedule your visit today!
What Happens If Periodontal Disease Is Left Untreated?
Here’s the honest answer: gum disease doesn’t go away on its own. Left untreated, it tends to move slowly in most cases, but that’s not a guarantee. Depending on the specific bacteria causing the infection, some cases can progress faster than others.
The part that matters most is this: once bone loss occurs around your teeth, that bone cannot be regenerated. This is exactly why we emphasize early evaluation and treatment. Catching the earliest stages of gum inflammation means we can often get things back under control before any lasting damage happens. Waiting rarely makes anything easier, and it never makes the problem smaller.
How Is Periodontal Maintenance Different From a Regular Cleaning?
This is one of the questions we hear most often, and it’s a fair one. Not every cleaning is the same, and understanding the difference helps you know what to expect at your next visit.
Periodontal Screening and Evaluations
Every check on your gum health starts with a simple process: probing around each tooth to measure the depth of the space between your gum and tooth. Healthy gums sit snug against the tooth. When that space gets deeper, it’s usually a sign that inflammation or infection has taken hold. We track these measurements so we can catch changes early, before they turn into bigger issues.
Prophylaxis: Routine Preventive Cleanings
For patients with healthy, stable gums, a standard cleaning, sometimes called a prophylaxis, is all that’s needed. This removes the everyday plaque and tartar that builds up above the gumline and keeps your mouth in good shape between visits.
Scaling and Root Planing: A Closer Look at Deep Cleaning
When our evaluation shows signs of gum disease, we may recommend scaling and root planing, often called a deep cleaning. Unlike a standard cleaning, this treatment reaches below the gumline to remove plaque, tartar, and bacteria that a regular cleaning can’t touch. We also smooth the root surfaces of the teeth, which helps your gums reattach and heal more effectively.
Does scaling and root planing hurt?
We know dental anxiety is real, and we take it seriously. Most patients tolerate this treatment well, and we take steps to keep you comfortable throughout the process. Some mild soreness afterward is normal, similar to what you might feel after a particularly thorough cleaning, and it typically fades within a day or two.
What Happens If Periodontal Disease Is Left Untreated?
Here’s the honest answer: gum disease doesn’t go away on its own. Left untreated, it tends to move slowly in most cases, but that’s not a guarantee. Depending on the specific bacteria causing the infection, some cases can progress faster than others.
The part that matters most is this: once bone loss occurs around your teeth, that bone cannot be regenerated. This is exactly why we emphasize early evaluation and treatment. Catching the earliest stages of gum inflammation means we can often get things back under control before any lasting damage happens. Waiting rarely makes anything easier, and it never makes the problem smaller.
How Is Periodontal Maintenance Different From a Regular Cleaning?
This is one of the questions we hear most often, and it’s a fair one. Not every cleaning is the same, and understanding the difference helps you know what to expect at your next visit.
Periodontal Screening and Evaluations
Every check on your gum health starts with a simple process: probing around each tooth to measure the depth of the space between your gum and tooth. Healthy gums sit snug against the tooth. When that space gets deeper, it’s usually a sign that inflammation or infection has taken hold. We track these measurements so we can catch changes early, before they turn into bigger issues.
Prophylaxis: Routine Preventive Cleanings
For patients with healthy, stable gums, a standard cleaning, sometimes called a prophylaxis, is all that’s needed. This removes the everyday plaque and tartar that builds up above the gumline and keeps your mouth in good shape between visits.
Scaling and Root Planing: A Closer Look at Deep Cleaning
When our evaluation shows signs of gum disease, we may recommend scaling and root planing, often called a deep cleaning. Unlike a standard cleaning, this treatment reaches below the gumline to remove plaque, tartar, and bacteria that a regular cleaning can’t touch. We also smooth the root surfaces of the teeth, which helps your gums reattach and heal more effectively.
Does scaling and root planing hurt?
We know dental anxiety is real, and we take it seriously. Most patients tolerate this treatment well, and we take steps to keep you comfortable throughout the process. Some mild soreness afterward is normal, similar to what you might feel after a particularly thorough cleaning, and it typically fades within a day or two.
How Much Does A Deep Cleaning Cost?
Cost varies from patient to patient, depending on factors like the extent of treatment needed, your insurance coverage, and your specific gum health. Rather than guess at a number that may not apply to you, we’ll walk through your situation during a consultation and give you a clear, honest picture of what to expect financially before any treatment begins.
Do I Need a Referral to See a Periodontist?
Not always, and here’s how it typically works with us. Our team handles the full range of everyday dental care in-house, including screening, routine cleanings, and scaling and root planing for patients showing early to moderate signs of gum disease.
For more advanced cases, treatments like gum grafting, crown lengthening, guided tissue regeneration, gingivectomies, bone grafting, and flap surgeries call for the specialized training of a periodontal specialist. When that level of care is the right next step for you, we’ll walk you through exactly why, connect you with a specialist we trust, and stay involved in your care throughout the process. You’re never just handed a referral and left to figure out the rest on your own. That kind of continuity is part of what it means to have a dental home.
Do I Need a Referral to See a Periodontist?
Not always, and here’s how it typically works with us. Our team handles the full range of everyday dental care in-house, including screening, routine cleanings, and scaling and root planing for patients showing early to moderate signs of gum disease.
For more advanced cases, treatments like gum grafting, crown lengthening, guided tissue regeneration, gingivectomies, bone grafting, and flap surgeries call for the specialized training of a periodontal specialist. When that level of care is the right next step for you, we’ll walk you through exactly why, connect you with a specialist we trust, and stay involved in your care throughout the process. You’re never just handed a referral and left to figure out the rest on your own. That kind of continuity is part of what it means to have a dental home.
Why Choose Tomasheski Family Dentistry for Your Gum Disease Treatment?
We’re a family-owned practice and relationships matter to us just as much as clinical results do. Here’s what that looks like in practice:
- Family owned and led by Dr. John Tomasheski and Dr. Kimberly Tomasheski, both trained at the University of North Carolina School of Dentistry
- Ongoing advanced education through case-based study clubs and hands-on continuing education courses, so your periodontal care reflects current best practices
- Personalized treatment plans built around your gum health, not one-size-fits-all routines
- Clear, plain-language explanations of what we find and why it matters
- A genuine focus on helping nervous patients feel calm and cared for
- The same goal at every visit: catch problems early, treat them honestly, and help you keep your smile strong for the long haul
Schedule Your Periodontal Evaluation in Apex, NC
Healthy gums are worth paying attention to, and there’s no better time to start than now. If you’ve noticed bleeding, tenderness, or any of the other warning signs we covered above, or if it’s simply been a while since your last cleaning, Tomasheski Family Dentistry in Apex, NC is ready to help. Call us, text us, or fill out our online form to schedule your visit, and let our team give your gums the attention they deserve.