Gum Disease Treatment in Brookline, MA: What You Need to Know
By Dr. Jess Liu, Board-Certified Periodontist | Pleasant Dental Associates
Gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults — and most people don't know they have it until it's already advanced. As a board-certified periodontist at Pleasant Dental Associates in Brookline, I've treated hundreds of patients who were surprised to learn that their bleeding gums, bad breath, or shifting teeth were signs of a condition that required specialist care.
This post explains what gum disease is, how we diagnose it, and the full range of treatments we use — from conservative cleaning to surgical regeneration.
What Is Gum Disease?
Gum disease (periodontal disease) is a bacterial infection of the tissues supporting your teeth. It progresses in two stages:
Gingivitis: early-stage inflammation, limited to the gums. Reversible with professional cleaning and good home care.
Periodontitis: the infection spreads below the gumline, destroying the bone and ligament that anchor your teeth. This stage causes irreversible damage but can be halted and managed.
Left untreated, periodontitis leads to loose teeth, tooth loss, and has been linked to systemic conditions including heart disease, diabetes, and preterm birth.
How We Diagnose Gum Disease
Diagnosis starts with a comprehensive periodontal exam. We measure the depth of the pockets between your gums and teeth using a small probe — healthy pockets are 1 to 3 millimeters; pockets of 4mm or more indicate disease. We also take full-mouth X-rays to assess bone levels and look for patterns of bone loss.
At Pleasant Dental Associates, all four of our specialists review complex cases together. If you have a history of failed implants, systemic conditions like diabetes, or advanced bone loss, we coordinate your care accordingly.
Treatment Options, From Conservative to Surgical
Scaling and Root Planing (Deep Cleaning)
For mild to moderate periodontitis, we start with scaling and root planing — a thorough cleaning below the gumline to remove bacterial deposits from the root surfaces. Most patients require local anesthesia. We typically treat one or two quadrants per visit, with a 4- to 6-week re-evaluation to measure your response.
Antibiotic Therapy
In select cases, we supplement deep cleaning with locally applied antibiotics (such as Arestin) placed directly into infected pockets, or a short course of systemic antibiotics to reduce bacterial load.
Periodontal Surgery
When pockets remain deep after non-surgical treatment — typically 5mm or greater — surgery is often necessary. As a periodontist, I perform several types depending on your situation:
Osseous surgery (pocket reduction): reshaping the bone to eliminate deep pockets bacteria can hide in
Guided tissue regeneration: placing a membrane to encourage your body to regrow lost bone and attachment
Bone grafting: adding graft material to rebuild bone destroyed by disease
Our goal is always to save your natural teeth wherever possible.
Periodontal Maintenance
After active treatment, you'll transition to a periodontal maintenance schedule — typically every 3 to 4 months instead of the standard 6-month cleaning. This is not optional. Gum disease doesn't go into remission on its own; it requires ongoing management to keep bacteria levels low and prevent recurrence.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can gum disease be cured?
A: Gingivitis can be fully reversed. Advanced periodontitis cannot be cured, but it can be arrested and managed long-term with treatment and consistent maintenance visits.
Q: Does gum disease treatment hurt?
A: Deep cleaning is done under local anesthesia so you won't feel discomfort during the procedure. Some soreness and sensitivity for a few days afterward is normal. Surgical procedures involve a short recovery period, and we provide detailed post-op instructions.
Q: How do I know if I need a periodontist or a general dentist?
A: If you have pockets of 4mm or deeper, bone loss on X-rays, bleeding that doesn't resolve with cleaning, or a history of gum disease, you should see a periodontist. General dentists treat gingivitis; periodontists treat periodontitis.
Q: Is gum disease related to my overall health?
A: Yes. Research links periodontitis to increased risk of cardiovascular disease, poorly controlled diabetes, respiratory disease, and complications in pregnancy. Treating gum disease can improve systemic health outcomes.
Q: How long does treatment take?
A: Mild to moderate cases may resolve over 2 to 3 visits. More advanced disease involving surgery can take several months of active treatment followed by lifelong maintenance.
Ready to Schedule?
Pleasant Dental Associates is a specialist-only practice at 1318 Beacon Street Suite 20, Brookline, MA 02446. Our board-certified periodontists and prosthodontists — all faculty at Boston University and Tufts — offer complete surgical and restorative care under one roof.
New patients: $259 exam, X-rays & cleaning special. Book online at dental4.me/pleasantdental/1 or call 617-975-3399.
