Severe periodontal disease carries a real risk of permanent tooth loss. If you have advanced periodontitis, you may already have one or more loose teeth, or you may have lost a tooth already. The sooner treatment starts, the better the odds of saving the teeth you still have. Effective treatment for severe periodontal disease in Boise, ID is available, and most patients have more options than they realize.
What Is Severe Periodontal Disease?
Severe (advanced) periodontal disease is a stage of gum disease where infection has destroyed significant amounts of gum tissue and the bone that supports the teeth. Deep pockets form between the teeth and gums, teeth can loosen or shift, and without treatment, tooth loss becomes likely. It’s the advanced end of a progression that starts with gingivitis, moves through moderate periodontitis, and reaches this stage only after the infection has gone unmanaged for an extended period.
What Causes It to Reach This Stage?
Periodontal disease progresses when bacterial plaque and tartar are allowed to build up along and below the gumline. Over time, the body’s inflammatory response to that bacteria breaks down the tissue and bone anchoring the teeth. Several factors accelerate this process, including smoking, uncontrolled diabetes, genetic susceptibility, hormonal changes, certain medications, and simply going too long without professional cleanings. By the time disease reaches the severe stage, pocket depths are often 6 millimeters or more, and bone loss is visible on X-rays.
Signs You May Have Advanced Gum Disease
Common signs include gums that bleed easily, persistent bad breath, gums that have pulled away from the teeth, teeth that feel loose or have shifted position, pain when chewing, and visible pus around the gumline. Not every patient experiences pain, which is part of why periodontal disease can advance silently before it’s caught. Anyone noticing these symptoms should see a periodontist promptly rather than waiting for pain to develop.
How Is Severe Periodontal Disease Treated?
Treatment for severe periodontal disease typically follows a progression, starting with the least invasive option and moving to surgical procedures if the disease doesn’t respond. The three main treatments are scaling and root planing, Laser Assisted New Attachment Procedure (LANAP), and flap surgery, often paired with bone grafting.
1. Scaling and Root Planing
Scaling and root planing is usually the first line of treatment. A dental hygienist removes plaque and tartar from below the gumline, then smooths the root surfaces of the teeth so bacteria have a harder time reattaching. This deep-cleaning procedure reduces inflammation and is often the foundation that later treatments build on. It’s typically performed under local anesthesia and may be spread across two or more visits, treating one section of the mouth at a time. For patients with early-stage advanced disease, scaling and root planing alone can sometimes bring pockets back to a manageable depth.
2. LANAP (Laser Assisted New Attachment Procedure)
LANAP is a laser-based treatment offered at Idaho Perio Center for Dental Implants and Laser Periodontal Therapy. A periodontist uses a laser to target and eliminate bacteria in the infected gum pocket. Unlike traditional surgery, LANAP is minimally invasive and doesn’t require cutting or suturing the gums, which typically means less discomfort and a faster recovery than conventional flap surgery.
Beyond killing bacteria, LANAP also stimulates the body to regenerate lost bone and form new attachment between the gum and tooth root. That regenerative effect matters because bone loss is one of the defining problems of periodontal disease, and few treatments can reverse any of it. Most patients return to normal activities within a day or two, making LANAP a popular choice for people who want an effective option with minimal downtime.
3. Flap Surgery
When non-surgical treatment isn’t enough to control the infection, flap surgery is the next step. The periodontist lifts the gum tissue back to access and remove tartar deposits from deep pockets that instruments can’t otherwise reach, then sutures the gums back into place at a reduced pocket depth. Shallower pockets are easier for both the patient and the dental team to clean and maintain, which helps prevent the disease from progressing further.
Flap surgery is often combined with bone grafting, which uses graft material, either from the patient, a donor source, or a synthetic substitute, to replace lost bone and trigger the body’s natural bone-regeneration process. This step is particularly important for stabilizing teeth that have become loose and for creating a stronger foundation before any future restorative work, such as dental implants.
Which Treatment Is Right for You?
The right treatment depends on how advanced the disease is, how much bone has been lost, and how a patient’s gums respond to earlier, less invasive treatments. A periodontist typically starts with scaling and root planing, then reevaluates. If pockets don’t shrink and infection persists, LANAP or flap surgery becomes the next consideration. Some patients move straight to a more advanced procedure if bone loss and pocket depth are severe enough at diagnosis. An in-person evaluation with a periodontist, including a full periodontal charting and X-rays, is the only way to know which path applies to a specific case.
Life After Treatment: Maintaining Results
Treating severe periodontal disease is not a one-time fix. Because the underlying tissue and bone damage can’t be fully undone, ongoing maintenance is essential to prevent the disease from returning. That typically means periodontal maintenance cleanings every three to four months instead of the standard six-month checkup, diligent daily brushing and flossing, and managing contributing health factors like smoking or blood sugar control. Patients who stay consistent with maintenance visits have significantly better odds of keeping their remaining teeth long-term.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can severe periodontal disease be reversed? The bone and tissue lost to severe periodontal disease cannot be fully restored to their original state, but treatment can stop the disease from progressing, reduce infection, and in some cases regenerate a portion of lost bone through procedures like LANAP or bone grafting.
Is LANAP better than traditional gum surgery? LANAP is less invasive than traditional flap surgery, involves less cutting and suturing, and tends to come with a shorter recovery time. It’s not the right fit for every case, but it’s a strong option for many patients with advanced gum disease. A periodontist can determine candidacy based on an exam.
Will I lose my teeth if I have advanced periodontitis? Not necessarily. While advanced periodontitis significantly raises the risk of tooth loss, prompt treatment, whether scaling and root planing, LANAP, or flap surgery with bone grafting, can stabilize loose teeth and prevent further loss.
How urgent is treatment for severe gum disease? Very. Periodontal disease doesn’t reverse on its own, and delaying treatment allows bone and tissue loss to continue, making teeth progressively looser and harder to save.
Does treatment for severe periodontal disease hurt? Most procedures are performed under local anesthesia, so pain during treatment is minimal. LANAP in particular is known for a more comfortable recovery than traditional surgery. Some soreness afterward is normal and typically manageable with over-the-counter pain relief.
How much does treatment for advanced gum disease cost? Cost varies based on which procedure is needed, how many areas of the mouth are affected, and whether bone grafting is involved. Many dental insurance plans cover a portion of periodontal treatment. A periodontist’s office can provide a specific estimate after an evaluation.
Get Help for Severe Periodontal Disease in Boise, ID
Don’t wait to find out if treatment is available for advanced gum disease. Contact your periodontist in Boise, ID, today to schedule an evaluation and find the right treatment path.
