Gum Disease Treatment
Periodontics in Sherman Oaks
Diagnosis and treatment of gum disease by a certified periodontist. Care is aimed at stopping the infection, protecting the bone that holds your teeth, and keeping the result stable with planned maintenance.
What it treats
Gum disease is a bacterial infection of the tissue and bone around the teeth. Left untreated, it can loosen teeth and lead to their loss.
Early gum disease, gingivitis, affects only the gums. Periodontitis reaches the bone and the ligament that hold the tooth in place, and it is often painless until it is advanced. Measuring the pockets between the gums and teeth shows how far it has progressed.
Signs to have your gums checked
Periodontist & Dental Implantologist
Specialist Care
Why see a periodontist
A periodontist completes additional years of specialty training after dental school, focused on the gums, bone and ligament that hold teeth and implants in place.
Dr. Hanookai completed her specialty certification in periodontics and dental implantology at USC, then spent ten years as faculty in its Department of Periodontics. Her practice is limited to the gums, bone and implants that support the teeth.
Certification
Teaching
Experience
Treatment Options
Conservative care first
Most patients start with a deep cleaning. More involved treatment is recommended only when the measurements show it is needed.
Scaling and root planing
A deep cleaning below the gumline that removes bacterial deposits from the root surfaces so the gums can reattach and heal.
First step
Pocket reduction therapy
Where deep pockets remain after cleaning, the gum tissue is treated to reduce pocket depth and make the area easier to keep clean.
When pockets persist
Laser gum treatment
A laser is used to treat and reshape gum tissue, with minimal discomfort and in many cases without sutures.
Soft tissue
Periodontal maintenance
Cleanings scheduled at an interval set by your measured pocket depths, to keep the disease controlled over time.
Ongoing
Treated by
What to Expect
From first visit to maintenance
Examination
Pocket depths are measured around each tooth and radiographs are reviewed to see the bone level.
Diagnosis and plan
Dr. Hanookai explains what the measurements show and recommends a treatment sequence.
Treatment
Care starts with the least involved option likely to control the infection.
Re-evaluation
Pockets are measured again after healing, and the maintenance interval is set from the results.
For Referring Dentists
Dr. Hanookai treats the periodontal phase and sends the patient back to you for restorative care, with maintenance coordinated between both offices.
Results
Related cases
Treatment
Gum contouring
Case
Uneven gum line
Treatment
Gum contouring
Case
Gum line and tissue color
Treatment
Gum grafting
Case
Generalized recession
Treatment
Gum grafting
Case
Localized recession, lower arch
Treatment
Gum grafting
Case
Root coverage
Treatment
Gum grafting
Case
Tissue thickening
Patient Reviews
From patients treated for
gum disease
Reviews from Google and Yelp, and videos from patients who had gum treatment with Dr. Hanookai.
Patient video testimonials
Questions
Common questions
Have a question about your own gums? Call the office at (818) 788-8787.
The short answer
Periodontics is the diagnosis and treatment of gum disease, a bacterial infection of the tissue and bone around the teeth. Most patients start with a deep cleaning below the gumline, and more involved treatment such as pocket reduction or laser gum treatment is recommended only when the measurements show it is needed. Cleanings are then scheduled at an interval set by your measured pocket depths to keep the disease controlled over time.