Gum Disease Procedure

A healthy smile is about more than just pearly white teeth. If you have noticed that your gums are red, puffy, tender, or bleed when you brush your teeth, you may have the early stages of gum disease. Your periodontal health is important to Knoxville Smiles at Malone & Costa Dentistry. We offer several effective gum disease treatment options to our Knoxville, TN area patients, including prophylactic cleanings, scaling and root planing, and other solutions for reversing gum disease.

Why treat gum disease?

Gum disease is very common – in fact, over half of American adults have it to some degree. At its early stages, periodontal disease is called “gingivitis,” which is when it is easiest to treat. If left unchecked, though, gingivitis can progress to the more serious periodontitis and lead to a variety of issues not just for your smile, but also your entire body. Gum recession, loose teeth, and tooth loss can occur as gum disease progresses, and a growing body of research shows that gum disease is linked to serious health conditions such as heart attacks, diabetes, strokes, and certain types of cancers.

Gum disease treatment options

As you can see, the stakes are high when it comes to treating gum disease, and it is essential that you work with your dentist to restore health and vitality to your mouth. Knoxville Smiles at Malone & Costa Dentistry takes a personalized approach when it comes to treating gum disease – the right treatment option for each patient is different and depends on the stage of the disease they are at.

  • Patients who want to get rid of gingivitis in its early stages can often achieve great results by ramping up their home care routine with diligent brushing and flossing and extra cleanings at our office to help keep plaque, bacteria, and tartar in check
  • If you have deep pockets or areas where bacteria and tartar have infiltrated and begun to eat away at your gums, teeth, and other tissues, a deep-cleaning procedure called scaling and root planing is often advised; during this treatment, we numb the area and then remove the hardened tartar and bacterial plaques and then smooth the tooth roots to help your gums heal and re-seal against your teeth
  • Some patients may also need topical or oral antibiotics to help fight the bacterial infection that is occurring in their gums
  • If gum disease has caused a significant amount of gum recession around your teeth, we also offer gum grafting treatment to restore the shape of your gums and protect your tooth roots once the active disease is under control

If you suspect you have gum disease, it is best to seek a diagnosis and learn about your treatment options before it has a chance to progress into a much larger issue. With your customized care plan, we can help you reverse gum disease in the comfort of our warm and inviting office. Call Knoxville Smiles at Malone & Costa Dentistry today at (865) 426-1776 to schedule your evaluation!

Gum Disease - Dr. Michael Costa

Gum Disease Causes & Treatment Options
Video Transcript

The 3 stages of gum disease are gingivitis, periodontitis, and advanced periodontitis. Gingivitis is caused by toxins irritating the gum line as a result of plaque buildup. Signs and symptoms of gingivitis includes swelling, sensitivity, and bleeding of the gums during brushing and flossing. Gingivitis can be easily reversed through professional care and good home oral hygiene. Periodontitis is categorized by irreversible bone loss that results from untreated gingivitis. The gums may begin to form a pocket below the gum line which traps food and plaque. Dental treatment and home care can help prevent from further damage, but at this stage, the results are not reversible. Advanced periodontitis is when the fibers and bones supporting the teeth destroyed. This may cause teeth to shift or loosen. Teeth may have to be removed depending on how advanced the disease has become and if treatments are not effective. You can begin by preventing gum disease with good oral health. Pick up a brochure or ask your dentist today.

Treatments for Gum Disease near me in, Knoxville, TN
If you have bleeding or receding gums, you might be having gum disease. Watch this video to learn all about gum disease as Dr. Costa explains all about it.

Gum disease treatment at Knoxville Smiles explained by Dr. Michael Costa
Video Transcript

What are the symptoms of gum disease?

A lot of people don’t even know that they have gum disease. Typically, they could be asymptomatic or not have any issues.

When you come in to visit our hygienist, Dr. Malone or myself, we’re going to do a thorough exam of your gums along with your teeth.

We’re looking for inflammation, redness, bleeding, build-up around your teeth, swelling, and potentially pain.

How important is taking care of gums?

Many people don’t realize this, but the health of their gums sometimes can be more important than the health of their teeth.

At Knoxville Smiles, we take gum disease pretty seriously. Many people don’t know that gum disease can be treated pretty easily through a hygienist.

Fortunately, we have three wonderful hygienists that are extremely thorough and can help you through this issue if it occurs.

Give us a call today to make your appointment and get your gums examined.


Dr. Micheal Costa

Dr. Costa

Dr. Stephen Malone

Dr. Malone


Knoxville Smiles at Malone & Costa Dentistry offers a unique dental care experience to our patients in Knoxville, Tennessee, and the surrounding areas. The crew is committed to protecting and increasing the natural beauty of your smile by employing conservative, cutting-edge techniques that result in attractive, long-lasting smiles!

Our dedicated and experienced team of doctors includes Dr. Stephen Malone, D.M.D., University of Louisville, and Dr. Michael Costa, D.D.S., UNC School of Dentistry, M.H.A., UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health in Chapel Hill, NC. They are firm believers in continuing education to provide their patients with the finest possible care.

Drs. Costa and Malone see their patients as real partners in their service. Our team is committed to making your dental care journey as pleasant as possible.

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