Dental Hygiene Therapy and Periodontal Treatment

Dental hygiene therapy is utilised to help both treat and prevent gingivitis and periodontitis.

Gingivitis is inflammation of the gums only. Periodontitis (gum disease) is the destruction of the tissues that support the tooth, i.e. gums and bone. The continued progress of periodontitis leads to the eventual total loss of support of the tooth followed by loss of the tooth itself. As the disease progresses, the gums begin to separate from the teeth to form pockets, allowing the continued downward acceleration of plaque below the gumline.

Periodontitis and gingivitis are both caused by the build up of plaque and calculus (scale) on the teeth. At Harpenden Dental Centre we help patients to treat gum disease and maintain healthy gums through careful help and treatment from both the dentist and dental hygienist. The dentist assesses the extent of the problem and monitors its progress, whilst patients are referred to the dental hygienist who specialises in removing the deposits on the teeth and providing detailed oral hygiene instruction to help prevent further accumulation.

Once gum disease has been eradicated it is also important to prevent its return. Patients are therefore encouraged to visit the dental hygienist routinely for maintenance of good gum condition.

Rebecca Whiteley is our Dental Hygienist at Harpenden Dental Centre. Rebecca is an excellent hygienist and communicator. She has a gentle but thorough touch when providing dental hygiene treatment.

Please click here to learn more about our dental hygienist, Rebecca Whiteley.

Patients that suffer from advanced periodontitis are advised to see one of our specialist periodontists. A specialist periodontist is a dentist that specialises in stabilising periodontal disease that has progressed to such an extent that hygiene therapy alone is no longer going to eradicate the disease.

At Harpenden Dental Centre we have two specialist periodontists, Monica Lee and Emiliano Zanaboni. Monica and Emiliano are both specialist clinical teachers at Guy’s Hospital, KCL.

Please click here to learn more about our specialist periodontists, Monica Lee and Emiliano Zanaboni.

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