Gum Disease Treatment in Broomfield and Northglenn, Colorado
Gum disease is an infection of the gum tissue and bone that holds your teeth in place. It starts as gingivitis, which is reversible, and can progress to periodontitis, which causes permanent bone loss if untreated.
Colorado Gum Care specializes in diagnosing and treating all stages of gum disease. Our periodontists are trained specifically in the bone and gum tissue affected by periodontal infection. We use proven treatments and dental laser therapy to stop disease progression and protect your teeth long-term.
Stages of Gum Disease
Gingivitis is inflammation of the gum tissue caused by plaque buildup along the gumline. Your gums may bleed when you brush or floss. They may look red or feel swollen. At this stage, no bone loss has occurred.
Gingivitis is reversible. A professional cleaning combined with better brushing and flossing at home is often enough to restore healthy gums.
Mild to Moderate Periodontitis
When gingivitis goes untreated, the infection moves below the gumline. Pockets form between your gums and teeth, creating space where bacteria multiply and damage the supporting bone. Gums may begin to pull back from the teeth.
At this stage, a standard cleaning is no longer enough. Treatment requires scaling and root planing — a deeper cleaning procedure performed by a periodontist or hygienist.
Advanced Periodontitis
In advanced cases, significant bone loss has occurred. Teeth may feel loose. The infection may have spread across multiple teeth. Advanced periodontitis requires surgical treatment to clean the pockets and, in some cases, rebuild the damaged bone.
Without treatment, advanced periodontitis leads to tooth loss.
How We Treat Gum Disease
Scaling and Root Planing (Deep Cleaning)
Scaling and root planing is the standard non-surgical treatment for mild to moderate gum disease. Your gums are numbed with local anesthesia, and we use specialized instruments to clean below the gumline, removing bacteria and tartar from the root surfaces.
Most patients need two to four appointments to complete scaling and root planing. A follow-up visit 4-6 weeks later checks how the gums have responded.
Many patients stabilize after scaling and root planing and avoid the need for surgery. Results depend on the severity of disease and your home care routine.
Osseous Surgery
When deep pockets remain after scaling and root planing, or when bone loss is significant, surgery is needed. Osseous surgery allows us to access the root surfaces and bone directly, remove infected tissue, reshape bone that has become irregular due to the disease, and reduce pocket depth so gums can reattach more tightly.
Most patients are comfortable during osseous surgery under local anesthesia. Sedation is available for patients who prefer it.
Dental Laser Therapy
We use dental lasers as part of periodontal treatment. Laser energy targets bacteria deep in the pockets while minimizing damage to surrounding tissue. Laser therapy can be used alongside scaling and root planing or as an adjunct to surgery. It is associated with less bleeding, less swelling, and faster healing compared to traditional methods alone.
Periodontal Maintenance
Gum disease does not go away permanently. Once you have had periodontitis, you are at higher risk for recurrence. Most patients who have completed active treatment transition to a periodontal maintenance schedule: cleanings every 3-4 months rather than the standard twice a year.
These visits monitor pocket depths, check for disease activity, and clean areas that are difficult to reach at home. Staying on your maintenance schedule is the most important thing you can do to prevent gum disease from returning.
Gum Disease and Your Overall Health
Research consistently links periodontal disease to systemic health conditions. The bacteria and inflammatory markers from gum disease enter the bloodstream and can contribute to:
- Cardiovascular disease and increased risk of heart attack
- Poorly controlled blood sugar in people with diabetes
- Increased risk of stroke
- Adverse pregnancy outcomes including premature birth and low birth weight
- Complications from respiratory conditions
If you have a systemic health condition, your physician or specialist may recommend getting your periodontal status evaluated. Colorado Gum Care works with primary care providers and other specialists to coordinate your care.
Signs You May Have Gum Disease
See a periodontist if you notice any of the following:
- Bleeding when you brush or floss
- Gums that look red, swollen, or feel tender
- Persistent bad breath that does not improve with brushing
- Gums that are pulling back from your teeth
- Teeth that feel loose or have shifted
- Pain when chewing
- A tooth that has moved or a change in how your bite feels
Many people have gum disease without any of these symptoms. Your general dentist may refer you to a periodontist based on X-ray findings or pocket depth measurements during a routine cleaning. If you were referred, take it seriously.
Laser Gum Treatment in Broomfield & Northglenn
Laser gum treatment is a gentle way to treat gum disease without traditional cutting or sutures. Instead of a scalpel, the dentist uses a focused dental laser to remove infected tissue and bacteria from below the gumline. The healthy tissue around it is left in place.
For many patients, laser treatment means less bleeding, less swelling, and a faster, more comfortable recovery than conventional gum surgery. It pairs well with deep cleaning (scaling and root planing) for moderate gum disease, and it can reduce the need for more involved surgery in some cases.
At Colorado Gum Care, Dr. Wheeler, Dr. Borg, Dr. Johanson, and Dr. Fleming use laser therapy as part of their gum disease care. As board-certified periodontists, they will tell you honestly whether laser treatment is the right fit for your gums or whether another approach will work better.
If you have bleeding gums, gum recession, or have been told you have gum disease, schedule an evaluation at our Broomfield or Northglenn office. Patients who feel anxious about treatment can also ask about our sedation dentistry options.
What to Expect at Your First Visit
Your first appointment at Colorado Gum Care starts with a comprehensive periodontal evaluation. We take digital X-rays, measure pocket depths around each tooth, and examine your gum tissue, bone levels, and bite.
We explain exactly what we find and discuss your treatment options in plain language. You will know what to expect, how much it costs, and what your insurance may cover before we begin any treatment.
Gum Disease FAQs
Stop Gum Disease Before It Gets Worse
Early treatment makes a real difference in your long-term outcome. If your dentist referred you to a periodontist, or if you have noticed any signs of gum disease, call us today.