For Non-Surgical Perio and Routine Cleanings
Our office provides specialized care for Non-Surgical Periodontal Treatments—including Scaling and Root Planing (SRPs) and Perio Maintenance—and Routine Cleanings (Prophy appointments). Each treatment is tailored to your unique dental health needs and designed to maintain optimal gum and tooth health.
In addition, our office proudly offers Guided Biofilm Therapy (GBT) — an advanced, gentle, and highly effective approach to removing plaque and biofilm. GBT combines state-of-the-art technology with a comfortable, minimally invasive process that promotes healthier gums and cleaner teeth. It is suitable for both periodontal patients and those receiving routine dental cleanings.
Understanding Gum Disease
Gum disease starts when plaque and bacteria accumulate along your gum line. This sticky film hardens into tartar that irritates gum tissue and triggers inflammation. Early gum disease, called gingivitis, causes swollen, red gums that bleed easily. Left untreated, it advances to periodontitis—a serious infection that destroys the bone supporting your teeth.
Periodontitis creates pockets between teeth and gums where bacteria thrive. These pockets deepen as infection progresses, loosening teeth and eventually causing tooth loss. The bacteria don’t stay confined to your mouth, either. Research links gum disease to heart disease, diabetes complications, stroke, and respiratory problems. Treating gum disease protects both your oral health and your overall well-being.
Scaling and Root Planing (SRP) Explained
Scaling and root planing—often called a deep cleaning—goes beyond routine dental cleanings. This therapeutic procedure removes tartar and bacteria from below the gum line, where regular cleaning can’t reach. The treatment involves two key steps that work together to restore gum health.
Scaling removes tartar deposits from tooth surfaces and beneath the gum line. Your dental professional uses specialized instruments to break up and remove hardened buildup. Ultrasonic scalers make the process faster and more comfortable by vibrating tartar loose while flushing the area with water. Hand instruments allow precise removal in tight spaces and ensure thorough cleaning.
Root planing smooths rough spots on tooth roots where bacteria love to collect. This smoothing helps your gums reattach to clean tooth surfaces. The procedure also removes infected tissue and bacterial toxins embedded in root surfaces. Together, scaling and root planing eliminate the infection source and create conditions for healing.
Our team offers the option of local anesthesia to ensure patient comfort during procedures such as scaling and root planing. Our doctors and licensed dental hygienists are trained and certified to administer local anesthesia safely when necessary. This helps minimize discomfort and allows patients to undergo treatment easily and confidently.
Guided Biofilm Therapy (GBT)
Guided Biofilm Therapy (GBT) represents the latest advancement in professional teeth cleaning. Using AirFlow® technology, it gently removes biofilm, stains, and soft deposits with a fine powder and warm water spray. GBT is safe for natural teeth, implants, and restorations and is ideal for both periodontal maintenance and routine cleanings. This technology ensures a more comfortable, efficient, and precise cleaning experience.
GBT also helps reduce bacterial load and inflammation, promoting long-term gum health while minimizing discomfort compared to traditional methods. Patients often find it a more pleasant and less invasive alternative.
Healing and Follow-Up Care
Your gums begin healing immediately after treatment. The inflammation decreases, pockets shrink, and tissues reattach to clean tooth surfaces. Complete healing takes several weeks as your body repairs damaged tissue and eliminates remaining bacteria.
We schedule a follow-up appointment about four to six weeks after completing treatment. Dr. Tilman and his colleagues measure pocket depths again to assess healing progress. Successfully treated pockets shrink to healthy depths. Any areas that don’t respond adequately might require additional treatment or referral to a periodontist.
Maintaining Your Results
Scaling, root planing, GBT, and regular maintenance visits treat existing disease and prevent recurrence. Brush twice daily with a soft-bristle brush and fluoride toothpaste. Spend at least two minutes covering all tooth surfaces. Floss once daily to remove plaque between teeth, where gum disease often starts.
Many patients benefit from professional cleanings every three to four months rather than the standard six-month interval. These maintenance visits—especially when using GBT—help prevent new tartar buildup and detect disease recurrence early.
Non-Surgical Periodontal Treatment in Newport, RI
Gum disease threatens your smile, health, and quality of life. The good news? Effective, gentle treatments exist. Whether you need Scaling and Root Planing, Perio Maintenance, or Routine Cleanings enhanced with Guided Biofilm Therapy, Newport Family and Cosmetic Dentistry provides comprehensive, comfortable care for every stage of gum health.
Schedule your non-surgical periodontal treatment in Newport today with Dr. Nathan W. Tilman, Dr. Dianne Pannes, Dr. Brian May, Dr. James Safford, or Dr. Aaron Ramos. Let us help you maintain a healthy, radiant smile with the latest in preventive and therapeutic care.