Gentle, Effective, Non-Surgical Treatment for Gum Disease — Protecting Your Smile & Your Overall Health
Gum Disease Treatment in Ann Arbor
Nearly half of all American adults have some form of gum disease, making it one of the most prevalent dental conditions in the country. Yet many people are unaware they have it — because gum disease often develops silently, without pain, until it reaches an advanced stage.
Treating gum disease is not just about your smile. Research has established strong links between gum disease and serious systemic health conditions including heart disease, diabetes, stroke, and respiratory illness. Healthy gums are a foundation for your overall health. We serve patients throughout Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti, Saline, Canton, Dexter, Chelsea, and all of Washtenaw County.
Warning Signs
Gum disease rarely causes pain in its early stages, which is why regular checkups are so important. Here are the most common warning signs that should prompt a visit to our office.
Gums that bleed when you brush or floss are the most common early sign of gingivitis. Healthy gums should not bleed. Even occasional bleeding is a signal that inflammation is present and treatment is needed.
Chronic bad breath that does not improve with brushing or mouthwash is often caused by bacteria living in infected gum pockets. Treating the underlying gum disease is the only lasting solution.
If your teeth look longer than they used to, or if you notice gaps forming between your teeth and gums, this may indicate gum recession — a sign that gum tissue is pulling away due to disease or inflammation.
Red, swollen, or tender gum tissue is a sign of active inflammation. While it may not be painful, inflamed gums indicate that bacteria are present and the infection needs to be addressed promptly.
Advanced gum disease destroys the bone and tissue that support your teeth. If your teeth feel loose, have shifted position, or your bite has changed, this is a serious sign that requires immediate attention.
Heavy plaque and tartar accumulation at the gumline is a major risk factor for gum disease. Professional cleaning removes deposits that cannot be eliminated by brushing and flossing alone.
Our Treatments
Every gum therapy journey begins with a thorough periodontal evaluation. We measure the depth of the pockets between your teeth and gums, assess bone levels using digital X-rays, evaluate gum tissue health, and identify areas of active infection or inflammation.
This detailed assessment allows us to accurately stage your gum disease and create a treatment plan that is precisely matched to your needs — whether that is a professional cleaning for early gingivitis or a more comprehensive deep cleaning for advanced disease.
Scaling and root planing is the gold-standard non-surgical treatment for gum disease. It goes beyond a standard cleaning to remove bacterial deposits, plaque, and tartar from below the gumline — areas that are impossible to clean with a toothbrush at home.
We use local anesthesia to ensure your complete comfort throughout the procedure. After scaling away the deposits, we smooth the root surfaces to make it harder for bacteria to reattach, creating an environment where your gum tissue can heal and reattach to the tooth.
Professional treatment alone is not enough to control gum disease — your daily habits at home are equally important. Our hygienists provide personalized, hands-on coaching to help you develop an effective home-care routine that supports your healing and prevents recurrence.
We will show you the most effective brushing and flossing techniques for your specific situation, recommend the right tools (electric toothbrush, water flosser, interdental brushes), and help you build sustainable habits that keep your gums healthy between appointments.
Once active gum disease has been treated, the key to long-term success is a structured maintenance program. Patients who have had periodontal therapy need more frequent professional cleanings than the standard twice-yearly schedule — typically every three to four months.
At each maintenance visit, we perform a thorough cleaning, re-measure pocket depths to monitor your progress, and address any areas showing signs of recurrence early. This ongoing monitoring is what separates patients who maintain healthy gums long-term from those who experience recurring disease.
More Than Just Your Smile
Research has established a powerful connection between periodontal disease and serious systemic health conditions. The bacteria that cause gum disease can enter the bloodstream and trigger inflammation throughout the body — contributing to conditions that affect your heart, blood sugar, lungs, and more.
Treating gum disease is not just about saving your teeth — it is an investment in your total body health. Studies show that patients who receive periodontal therapy often see improvements in blood sugar control, reduced cardiovascular risk markers, and better overall inflammatory health.
Your Treatment Journey
Our gum therapy process is gentle, thorough, and completely transparent. Here is exactly what happens from your first visit to long-term maintenance.
We measure pocket depths, take digital X-rays, and assess the full extent of your gum disease to create an accurate treatment plan.
We explain your diagnosis in plain language, present your treatment options, and answer all your questions before any treatment begins.
Scaling and root planing is performed with local anesthesia for complete comfort, typically over two appointments for upper and lower arches.
4–6 weeks after treatment, we re-measure your pocket depths and assess healing to confirm the treatment has been effective.
We schedule you for periodontal maintenance visits every 3–4 months to keep your gums healthy and prevent recurrence long-term.
Why Choose Us
We treat gum disease without surgery whenever possible. Our non-surgical scaling and root planing is highly effective for most patients and far more comfortable than surgical alternatives.
Our hygiene team has extensive training and experience in periodontal therapy. They are skilled, thorough, and genuinely invested in your long-term gum health and overall wellbeing.
We use digital X-rays, ultrasonic scalers, and the latest diagnostic tools to ensure accurate assessment and the most effective, comfortable treatment possible.
No two cases of gum disease are the same. We create a personalized treatment plan for every patient based on the specific stage, severity, and risk factors of their condition.
Most dental insurance plans cover periodontal therapy. We verify your benefits before treatment and offer flexible financing options to ensure cost is never a barrier to getting the care you need.
Located at 760 W. Eisenhower Pkwy in Ann Arbor, we offer extended hours Monday through Thursday — making it easy to fit treatment into your busy schedule.
Real Results
Gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults — but it is almost entirely preventable and treatable when caught early. Patients who receive timely periodontal therapy consistently achieve excellent outcomes: reduced pocket depths, healthier gum tissue, fresher breath, and teeth that last a lifetime.
The longer gum disease goes untreated, the more bone and tissue is lost — and once bone is gone, it cannot grow back. Early treatment is always simpler, less expensive, and more effective than waiting until the disease has progressed.
Patient Stories
“I had been told I needed gum treatment at another office and was terrified. The team at Comfort Smiles made the whole experience so much easier than I expected. The deep cleaning was completely comfortable and my gums have never felt better. I wish I had come sooner.”
“My dentist told me I had early gum disease and referred me to Comfort Smiles. The hygienist was incredibly thorough and explained everything in detail. After my treatment and maintenance visits, my pocket depths improved significantly. I feel so much better about my oral health.”
“I had bleeding gums for years and just thought it was normal. Comfort Smiles diagnosed my gum disease and treated it gently. My gums no longer bleed, my breath is fresher, and I actually look forward to my maintenance visits now. The whole team is wonderful.”
Know the Difference
Gum disease exists on a spectrum. Understanding where you are on that spectrum helps you understand your treatment options and the urgency of care.
| Feature | Gingivitis (Early Stage) | Periodontitis (Advanced Stage) |
|---|---|---|
| Bone Loss | ✓ No bone loss — fully reversible | ✗ Bone loss present — not reversible |
| Gum Pockets | Shallow pockets (1–3mm) | Deep pockets (4mm or more) |
| Symptoms | Bleeding, redness, mild swelling | Recession, loose teeth, deep pockets, bad breath |
| Treatment | ✓ Professional cleaning + improved home care | Scaling & root planing + maintenance program |
| Urgency | Important — treat before it progresses | ✗ Urgent — bone loss is permanent |
| Tooth Loss Risk | Low if treated promptly | ✗ High if left untreated |
| Systemic Health Impact | Minimal | ✗ Linked to heart disease, diabetes, stroke |
Affordable Care
Most dental insurance plans cover periodontal therapy as a medically necessary treatment. We make it easy to understand your coverage and minimize your out-of-pocket costs.
We accept most major PPO dental insurance plans including Delta Dental, Cigna, Aetna, MetLife, and United Concordia. Periodontal therapy is typically covered as a medically necessary treatment. We verify your benefits before your first appointment.
If you have out-of-pocket costs, we offer CareCredit with promotional 0% interest periods. Apply in minutes and begin your treatment right away — pay over time at a pace that fits your budget comfortably.
We provide a clear, itemized cost estimate before any treatment begins. No hidden fees, no surprises — just honest, upfront pricing so you can make a fully informed decision about your care.
Common Questions
Periodontal therapy is performed with local anesthesia to ensure your complete comfort throughout the procedure. Most patients report feeling little to no discomfort during treatment. After the anesthesia wears off, some patients experience mild sensitivity or soreness for a day or two, which can be managed with over-the-counter pain relievers. The vast majority of our patients are pleasantly surprised by how comfortable the experience is.
For most patients, scaling and root planing is completed over two appointments — one for the upper arch and one for the lower arch, typically scheduled one to two weeks apart. Each appointment takes about 60–90 minutes. Four to six weeks after treatment, we schedule a re-evaluation appointment to measure your healing progress. After that, you will be placed on a periodontal maintenance schedule of every three to four months.
Gingivitis — the earliest stage of gum disease — is fully reversible with professional treatment and improved home care. Periodontitis, the more advanced stage involving bone loss, cannot be reversed (lost bone does not grow back), but it can be effectively controlled and managed with periodontal therapy and ongoing maintenance. Most patients who commit to their maintenance program maintain stable gum health for many years.
A regular cleaning (prophylaxis) cleans the surfaces of your teeth above and just below the gumline. It is appropriate for patients with healthy gums or early gingivitis. A deep cleaning (scaling and root planing) goes significantly deeper — removing bacteria, plaque, and tartar from below the gumline in the pockets that form between teeth and gums in patients with gum disease. Deep cleaning requires local anesthesia and is a more involved procedure than a routine cleaning.
Gum tissue that has receded due to gum disease does not typically grow back on its own. However, periodontal therapy can stop the progression of recession, allow inflamed tissue to heal and tighten around the teeth, and in some cases reduce the apparent severity of recession as swelling resolves. For significant recession, gum grafting procedures may be an option — we can discuss this with you during your consultation.
Most dental insurance plans cover periodontal therapy as a medically necessary treatment, typically at 50–80% of the cost after your deductible. Coverage varies by plan, so we verify your specific benefits before your first appointment and provide a clear breakdown of your estimated out-of-pocket costs. We also offer CareCredit financing for any remaining balance.
The most important steps to prevent gum disease recurrence are: attending your periodontal maintenance appointments every three to four months, brushing twice daily with a soft-bristled toothbrush, flossing or using an interdental cleaner daily, not smoking (smoking is a major risk factor for gum disease), and managing systemic conditions like diabetes that affect gum health. Our hygiene team will provide personalized guidance at every maintenance visit.
Don’t wait for gum disease to cost you your teeth or your health. Early, gentle treatment at Comfort Smiles Ann Arbor can stop the disease in its tracks and protect your smile for life. Serving Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti, Saline, Canton, and all of Washtenaw County.
760 W. Eisenhower Pkwy, Suite 310, Ann Arbor, MI 48103
Mon & Wed & Thu: 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM | Tue: 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM | Fri: 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM
