Periodontal Therapy in West Hills, CA
Gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults — but with early intervention and the right treatment, it is also highly manageable. At Anita Rathee DDS, we offer comprehensive periodontal therapy to treat gum disease at every stage, from early gingivitis to advanced periodontitis, using both non-surgical and surgical approaches tailored to your specific needs. If you are experiencing signs of gum disease, do not wait — call us today at (818) 348-8898 to schedule your evaluation in West Hills, CA .
Understanding Gum Disease and Why Treatment Matters
Periodontal disease — commonly known as gum disease — is a bacterial infection of the gum tissue and the supporting structures surrounding the teeth, including the bone. It begins when plaque, a sticky film of bacteria, accumulates along and beneath the gumline and is not adequately removed through brushing and flossing. If plaque is allowed to harden into tartar, it can only be removed through professional cleaning and creates a persistent source of bacterial activity that irritates and inflames the gum tissue. In its earliest stage — gingivitis — gum disease is characterized by red, swollen, and easily bleeding gums and is fully reversible with proper professional and at-home care. Left untreated, however, gingivitis can progress to periodontitis, a more serious stage in which the infection spreads below the gumline, destroying the bone and connective tissue that hold the teeth in place and ultimately leading to tooth loss.
Beyond its impact on the teeth and gums, untreated periodontal disease is strongly linked to a range of serious systemic health conditions. Research has established connections between chronic gum disease and an increased risk of heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, respiratory illness, and adverse pregnancy outcomes. This systemic relationship is central to the holistic and integrative dentistry philosophy at Anita Rathee DDS — we treat gum disease not just to save teeth, but as an important investment in your overall health. Early detection through regular dental cleanings and exams and prompt treatment when disease is present are the most effective ways to protect both your smile and your long-term well-being.
At Anita Rathee DDS, our non-surgical periodontal treatments form the first line of defense against gum disease. Scaling and root planing — also known as a deep cleaning — is the most common non-surgical periodontal procedure. It involves carefully removing plaque and tartar deposits from above and below the gumline and smoothing the root surfaces to eliminate bacterial toxins and encourage the gum tissue to reattach to the tooth. We also offer PerioProtect, an innovative at-home adjunct therapy in which custom-fitted trays are used to deliver prescription-strength antimicrobial medication directly below the gumline — targeting the harmful bacteria that cause gum disease in areas that regular brushing and flossing simply cannot reach. PerioProtect is easy to use, comfortable, and highly effective when used consistently alongside professional care at Anita Rathee DDS.
For patients who require more advanced treatment, Anita Rathee DDS offers non-surgical laser periodontal therapy using our dental laser technology. Laser therapy allows our team to precisely target and eliminate diseased and infected tissue from within the periodontal pockets while preserving the surrounding healthy gum tissue — with no cutting, no sutures, minimal bleeding, and a significantly faster and more comfortable recovery than traditional surgical approaches. For patients with gum recession resulting from periodontal disease, we also offer pinhole gum rejuvenation as a minimally invasive option to restore the gumline. No matter the stage of your gum disease, our team at Anita Rathee DDS is committed to providing the most effective and comfortable periodontal care available in West Hills, CA . Contact us today at (818) 348-8898 or visit our contact page to schedule your periodontal evaluation.
Frequently Asked Questions About Periodontal Therapy
What is periodontal therapy and what conditions does it treat?
Periodontal therapy refers to the professional treatment of gum disease and the supporting structures of the teeth — including the gums, bone, and connective tissue. At Anita Rathee DDS, we treat gum disease at all stages, from early gingivitis to advanced periodontitis, using a range of non-surgical and surgical approaches. Treatment is customized to each patient’s specific diagnosis and needs to achieve the most effective outcomes in West Hills, CA .
What are the signs of gum disease?
Common warning signs of gum disease include red, swollen, or tender gum tissue, gums that bleed easily during brushing or flossing, persistent bad breath, gum recession or teeth that appear longer than normal, loose or shifting teeth, pain when chewing, and changes in the way your teeth fit together. Many patients are unaware they have gum disease because it is often painless in its early stages — which is why regular dental cleanings and exams at Anita Rathee DDS are so essential for early detection.
What is scaling and root planing?
Scaling and root planing — also called a deep cleaning — is the most common non-surgical periodontal treatment. During the procedure, our team at Anita Rathee DDS carefully removes plaque and hardened tartar deposits from above and below the gumline and smooths the root surfaces of the teeth to remove bacterial toxins and encourage healthy gum tissue reattachment. The procedure is performed under local anesthesia and is typically completed over one or two appointments depending on the extent of the disease.
What is PerioProtect and how does it work?
PerioProtect is an innovative at-home periodontal therapy that uses custom-fitted trays to deliver prescription-strength antimicrobial medication directly into the periodontal pockets beneath the gumline — targeting the bacteria that cause gum disease in areas that brushing and flossing cannot reach. It is used in conjunction with professional cleanings at Anita Rathee DDS and has been shown to reduce gum inflammation, decrease bleeding, and help prevent the progression of gum disease with consistent use.
What is laser periodontal therapy and how does it compare to traditional gum surgery?
Laser periodontal therapy at Anita Rathee DDS uses dental laser technology to precisely remove infected and diseased tissue from periodontal pockets without cutting or suturing the gums. Compared to traditional gum surgery, laser therapy is significantly less invasive, causes minimal bleeding, involves far less post-operative discomfort, and requires a much shorter recovery period. It also preserves healthy surrounding tissue that would be affected by conventional surgical techniques.
Can gum disease be reversed?
In its earliest stage — gingivitis — gum disease is fully reversible with professional treatment and improved at-home oral hygiene. Once gum disease has progressed to periodontitis, the damage to the bone and connective tissue cannot be fully reversed, but it can be effectively managed and stabilized with appropriate periodontal therapy at Anita Rathee DDS. This is why early detection and prompt treatment are so important. Maintaining regular periodontal maintenance visits after treatment is essential to keeping the disease under control long term.
How do I schedule a periodontal evaluation at Anita Rathee DDS?
If you are experiencing any signs of gum disease, or if it has been a while since your last professional cleaning, call Anita Rathee DDS at (818) 348-8898 or visit our contact page to schedule a periodontal evaluation in West Hills, CA . Our team will assess the health of your gums and bone, identify any signs of disease, and recommend a personalized treatment plan to restore and protect your gum health as effectively and comfortably as possible.
