Periodontist in Stamford, CT | Gum Disease Treatment & Periodontal Care
Periodontics is the dental specialty focused on the gums, bone, and supporting tissues around your teeth. When gum disease develops, and it develops silently in nearly half of American adults over 30, periodontal care is what saves teeth from being lost to something that started as mild gum inflammation years earlier.
We Handle Periodontal Care As One Comprehensive Plan
Nearly half of adults in the United States over the age of 30 have some form of periodontal (gum) disease, according to the CDC. In adults over 65, that number rises to over 70 percent. What makes gum disease so widespread is also what makes it so dangerous: it is largely painless until it is advanced. By the time patients notice bleeding, swelling, or loose teeth, significant damage to the underlying bone has often already occurred. At Dental Care of Stamford, periodontal care is delivered in-house by specialists trained specifically in the diagnosis, non-surgical treatment, and surgical treatment of gum disease. Because we handle periodontal care alongside our general, restorative, and implant work, treatment is coordinated as one comprehensive plan, not scattered across separate offices.
Our Periodontal Services
Gum Surgery
Surgical periodontal procedures for advanced disease, including pocket reduction surgery, gum grafts for recession, and regenerative procedures. Learn about gum surgery options.
Periodontal Maintenance
Deep cleaning appointments every 3 to 4 months for patients with a history of periodontal disease. Prevents recurrence.
Cosmetic Gum Contouring
Reshaping of the gum line for aesthetic reasons or as part of a smile makeover.
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Implant Site Preparation
Bone grafting and soft-tissue procedures that prepare sites for dental implant placement when bone volume is insufficient.
Before & After Smile Transformations
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What Is Periodontal Disease?
Periodontal disease is a chronic bacterial infection affecting the gums and the bone that holds your teeth in place. It progresses through stages:
Gingivitis: The earliest stage. Gums become red, swollen, and bleed easily. Fully reversible with proper treatment and hygiene.
Early periodontitis: Infection begins damaging the bone around teeth. Small pockets form between teeth and gums.
Moderate periodontitis: Bone loss progresses. Pockets deepen. Some tooth mobility may appear.
Advanced periodontitis: Significant bone loss. Teeth become loose and can be lost. Aggressive intervention required.
The critical thing to understand: gum disease is largely painless. Patients often assume no pain means no problem, which is why so many cases advance to the point of tooth loss before diagnosis.
Warning Signs You Should Not Ignore
- Bleeding gums when you brush or floss (not normal, no matter what anyone told you)
- Red, swollen, or tender gums
- Gums that pull away from teeth (recession)
- Persistent bad breath or bad taste that doesn’t resolve with brushing
- Loose teeth or teeth that seem to have shifted
- Pus between teeth and gums
- Changes in the way teeth fit together when you bite
Why Gum Disease Matters Beyond Your Teeth
Periodontal disease is not just a dental problem. Research has established links between gum disease and:
- Cardiovascular disease: Increased risk of heart attack and stroke
- Diabetes: Bidirectional relationship; each condition worsens the other
- Alzheimer’s disease: Ongoing research on periodontal bacteria in brain tissue
- Adverse pregnancy outcomes: Preterm birth and low birth weight
- Respiratory infections: Especially in older adults
- Rheumatoid arthritis: Shared inflammatory pathways
Treating periodontal disease is treating whole-body inflammation. It matters more than most patients realize.
Our Periodontal Approach
Comprehensive periodontal evaluation: Detailed measurement of gum pocket depths, gum recession, tooth mobility, and bleeding, plus a full-mouth periodontal chart and X-rays as needed.
Individualized treatment planning: Based on the severity of disease, we build a plan that addresses your specific case, from hygiene coaching for early cases to comprehensive surgical care for advanced disease.
Non-surgical first: Whenever possible, we control disease with non-surgical treatment (deep cleaning, targeted antimicrobials, hygiene support). Surgery is reserved for cases that need it.
In-house surgical care when needed: For advanced disease, gum surgery is available on-site rather than through a separate referral to a specialist office.
Long-term maintenance: Periodontal disease is a chronic condition. Long-term maintenance every 3 to 4 months keeps disease controlled and prevents progression.
Why In-House Periodontal Care Matters
Most general dentists refer periodontal cases out to periodontist specialists in separate offices. At Dental Care of Stamford, your periodontist works alongside your general dentist, hygienist, endodontist, restorative dentist, and implant surgeon. When periodontal disease intersects with other dental needs, crowns, implants, orthodontics, the treatment plan is unified. Records, imaging, and billing all stay in one office.
Cost of Periodontal Care
Periodontal treatment cost varies with severity. Scaling and root planing (deep cleaning) typically ranges from $200 to $400 per quadrant. Periodontal maintenance visits range from $150 to $250. Gum surgery ranges from $500 to $3,000 per area depending on complexity. Bone and gum grafts range higher. Most dental insurance plans cover periodontal treatment at 50 to 80 percent when medically necessary. Medical insurance may also apply for severe cases. See financing options for extensive cases.
Serving Stamford and Fairfield County
Our patients come from across Stamford (06901, 06902, 06903, 06905, 06907), from Greenwich, Darien, New Canaan, Norwalk, Westport, and from Westchester County, NY
Frequently Asked Questions
A periodontist is a dental specialist focused on the gums, supporting bone, and dental implants. Periodontists complete dental school plus additional years of training in the diagnosis and treatment of periodontal disease and in complex dental implant surgery.
Not always. Early gingivitis often responds to improved hygiene and standard cleanings. Persistent bleeding, advanced disease, gum surgery, and bone or gum grafting typically require periodontal expertise. At Dental Care of Stamford, our in-house periodontist handles anything beyond routine hygiene care.
Gingivitis (the earliest stage) is fully reversible with proper treatment and hygiene. Periodontitis (later stages) is not reversible in the sense of regrowing lost bone, but it is controllable and the progression can be stopped or dramatically slowed. Early intervention makes a significant difference.
No. Healthy gums do not bleed with routine brushing or flossing. Bleeding is a sign of inflammation and usually of gingivitis. It should be evaluated rather than ignored.
Most dental plans cover periodontal treatment at 50 to 80 percent when medically necessary. Coverage varies for surgical procedures. We verify benefits and file claims before treatment begins.
Most periodontal patients need maintenance appointments every 3 to 4 months, rather than the standard 6-month interval. This is because bacteria repopulate the pockets around teeth more quickly in patients with a history of periodontitis. Consistent 3 to 4 month maintenance is critical for long-term control.
Yes. Advanced periodontal disease is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults over 35, ahead of cavities. Bone that has been destroyed does not grow back naturally. Preventing progression, or at least stopping it early, protects your teeth long term.
Schedule Your Periodontal Evaluation
Call (203) 324-6171 for a periodontal evaluation. If you have not had a periodontal chart done in over a year (a full-mouth measurement of pocket depths and recession), one is worth scheduling.