Healthy gums, lasting smile.
Gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults — and one of the most treatable when caught early. In-house periodontal care, from gingivitis to advanced periodontitis.
Gum (periodontal) disease is an infection of the tissues that hold your teeth in place. It starts silently — often the only early sign is gums that bleed when you brush — and, left untreated, it is the number-one cause of tooth loss in adults. The good news: caught early it is highly treatable, and even advanced cases can be stabilized. At Art Dental Studio, gum health is not an afterthought — it is the foundation every cosmetic and restorative result is built on. Our in-house periodontist, Dr. Cohen, evaluates and treats gum disease alongside your general and cosmetic care, so nothing is outsourced and nothing falls through the cracks.
What is gum disease (periodontal disease)?
Gum disease is a bacterial infection of the gums and the bone that supports your teeth, caused by plaque and hardened tartar building up along and below the gumline. It progresses in two main stages. Gingivitis is the early, reversible stage — red, swollen gums that may bleed when you brush or floss, with no bone loss yet. Periodontitis is the advanced stage, where the infection has spread below the gums, forming pockets that destroy the bone and ligament holding your teeth in place.
The warning signs are easy to miss: gums that bleed, look red or puffy, or are pulling away from the teeth; persistent bad breath; teeth that feel loose or look longer as the gums recede; and sensitivity at the gumline. Because gingivitis rarely hurts, many people do not realize they have gum disease until it has already caused damage — which is why a professional evaluation matters.
Treating gum disease is about far more than your smile. Advanced periodontitis permanently destroys jawbone and is a leading cause of adult tooth loss, and research has linked chronic gum inflammation to heart disease, diabetes and other systemic conditions. Stabilizing your gums protects your teeth, your bone and your overall health.
Signs you may need gum disease treatment
You may benefit from a periodontal evaluation if you notice any of these:
- Gums that bleed when you brush or floss
- Gums that are red, swollen, tender or pulling away from the teeth
- Persistent bad breath or a bad taste that does not go away
- Teeth that feel loose, or that look longer as the gums recede
- Sensitivity at the gumline, or visible tartar buildup
- It has been more than 6 months since your last professional cleaning
Periodontal treatment at Art Dental Studio
- 01
Periodontal evaluation
We examine your gums, measure the depth of the pockets around each tooth with a small probe, and take X-rays to check for bone loss. This tells us exactly what stage you are at and which treatment you actually need — no guesswork.
- 02
Professional or deep cleaning
For gingivitis, a thorough professional cleaning above the gumline is often enough. For periodontitis, we perform a deep cleaning — scaling and root planing — that removes plaque and tartar from below the gums and smooths the root surfaces so the gums can reattach. Local anesthesia keeps it comfortable, and it is usually done by area over one or two visits.
- 03
Periodontal therapy
Depending on severity, treatment may include locally applied antimicrobials, adjustments to your home-care routine, and — for advanced cases — a referral pathway to more involved periodontal procedures handled in-house by Dr. Cohen. We treat to the actual severity, not a one-size-fits-all package.
- 04
Periodontal maintenance
Gum disease is controlled, not cured — so after active treatment you move to a maintenance schedule (often every 3-4 months) that keeps the infection from returning. Consistent maintenance is the single biggest factor in keeping your teeth for life.
After your periodontal treatment
After a deep cleaning, it is normal to have some gum tenderness and temporary sensitivity to hot and cold for a few days. Most patients return to their normal routine the same day. If you have any discomfort, contact us before taking any medication and we will guide you based on your situation.
Your gums do the real healing over the following weeks as the inflammation resolves and the tissue tightens back around the teeth. Gentle, consistent home care — brushing twice a day, cleaning between the teeth daily, and following any specific instructions we give you — makes the difference.
The most important step is keeping your periodontal maintenance appointments. Gum disease can quietly return once bacteria rebuild below the gumline; the 3-4 month maintenance schedule is what stops that from happening and protects the bone that supports your teeth.
Questions answered.
Every case is different — from a simple cleaning to a deep cleaning across several areas — so we do not publish prices. Your free consultation includes a periodontal evaluation and a transparent, written, personalized estimate. Financing options with monthly payment plans are available.
A regular (prophylaxis) cleaning removes plaque and tartar from above the gumline and is for healthy gums or early gingivitis. A deep cleaning — scaling and root planing — goes below the gumline to remove infection from the periodontal pockets and smooth the root surfaces, and is the treatment for periodontitis. A periodontal evaluation determines which one you actually need.
Gingivitis, the early stage, is fully reversible with a professional cleaning and good home care. Periodontitis, the advanced stage, cannot be reversed because the lost bone does not grow back on its own — but it can be stopped and controlled so you keep your teeth. This is exactly why catching it early matters so much.
No. Scaling and root planing is done under local anesthesia, so the procedure itself is comfortable. Afterward you may have mild tenderness and temperature sensitivity for a few days, which resolves on its own.
For healthy gums, every 6 months. If you have been treated for gum disease, we typically recommend periodontal maintenance every 3-4 months, because that shorter interval is what keeps the infection from returning.
Yes. Dr. Cohen, our in-house periodontist, specializes in gum disease and the foundation it provides for cosmetic and restorative dentistry. Our whole team is bilingual, so you can be evaluated and treated entirely in English or Spanish across our Miami, Cooper City and Kendall locations.
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