Non-surgical periodontal treatment

In most cases of periodontal disease, it is possible to establish periodontal health around teeth through non-surgical periodontal treatment. This generally involves scaling and root planing (a careful and thorough cleaning of the root surfaces to remove plaque and calculus [tartar] from deep periodontal pockets and to smooth the tooth root to remove bacterial toxins).

Non-surgical periodontal treatment does have its limitations, however, and when it does not achieve periodontal health, periodontal surgery may be required to restore periodontal anatomy damaged by periodontal diseases and to facilitate oral hygiene practices.