Periodontics in Charlotte, NC
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Gum disease often develops without any pain at all, which is exactly what makes it so dangerous. Bleeding gums, a bad taste that lingers no matter how often you brush, or teeth that suddenly look longer are not just cosmetic annoyances. They are warning signs of an infection attacking the foundation that holds your teeth in place, and by the time symptoms become obvious, real damage has often already occurred.
At Imagine Dentistry, Dr. Ann Blaine Coambs and our team treat periodontal disease at every stage, from early inflammation to advanced bone loss. Dr. Coambs has practiced dentistry for more than 20 years, has earned a Charlotte Magazine Top Dentists Award every year since 2016, and holds the Fellowship Award from the Academy of General Dentistry, a distinction held by a small percentage of general dentists nationwide. The full range of dental services we provide allows us to help you protect your gum health specifically.
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The Connection Between Gum Health and Overall Health
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Periodontal disease is one of the most common oral health conditions among adults, and it rarely stays contained to the mouth. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about four in ten U.S. adults over 30 have some degree of periodontitis, and untreated cases can make other chronic conditions, including diabetes, harder to manage. The gum and bone tissue supporting your teeth also shapes the health of your entire mouth, which is why periodontal care often comes before other dental work can move forward.
During every visit, Dr. Coambs and our hygiene team measure gum pocket depths, check for bleeding or recession, and review digital X-rays to evaluate the bone anchoring your teeth. This monitoring allows us to catch shifts in your periodontal health early, when treatment is simpler and results are more predictable.
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Dr. Coambs’s Approach to Periodontal Care
Dr. Ann Blaine Coambs evaluates periodontal health at nearly every visit, not as an afterthought reserved for advanced cases. She reviews your full health history, since diabetes, certain medications, and smoking can all influence how your gums respond to treatment, and she builds a plan around what your tissue actually needs rather than putting you on a generic cleaning schedule.
This approach also influences how we talk with patients about their care. We walk through what pocket depths and digital X-ray findings mean and why we suggest a specific service, so you always know the reasoning behind your treatment plan.
Our Comprehensive Periodontal Services
We treat every stage of periodontal disease, and each service below can stand alone or work together as part of a broader plan for your gum health.
Imagine Dentistry at the Arboretum
Scaling and Root Planing
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For patients with active gum disease, scaling and root planing is often the first line of treatment. This non-surgical deep cleaning removes plaque and tartar from below the gumline and smooths root surfaces to discourage new buildup, typically over one or two appointments.
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Imagine Dentistry at the Arboretum
Periodontal Maintenance Cleanings
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Patients treated for gum disease need a different level of ongoing care than those who have not. Periodontal maintenance cleanings are scheduled every three to four months and go deeper than a standard cleaning to reach the areas most vulnerable to reinfection, since the bacteria responsible recolonize quickly.
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Imagine Dentistry at the Arboretum
Gum Disease Treatment
For gum disease that has not progressed to advanced bone loss, we offer targeted gum disease treatment tailored to your specific stage of infection. These treatments focus on removing bacteria, calming inflammation, and restoring your gums to a stable, healthy state before damage becomes permanent.
Imagine Dentistry at the Arboretum
Gum Grafting
When gum recession exposes the root surface of a tooth, gum grafting can rebuild the tissue that protects it from sensitivity and further recession. Dr. Coambs guides patients through the technique best suited to the area involved and what recovery typically looks like.
Imagine Dentistry at the Arboretum
Bone Grafting
In cases where gum disease or tooth loss has led to bone deterioration, bone grafting rebuilds the foundation that supports your teeth. This procedure replaces lost tissue and creates the density needed to support future restorative work, including dental implants.
Whichever combination of these services fits your situation, the objective is always the same: protecting the gum and bone tissue your smile depends on.
Frequently Asked Questions
We hear many of these questions about periodontal care at our Charlotte practice.Â
How Do I Know if I Have Gum Disease?
Common signs include gums that bleed during brushing or flossing, ongoing bad breath, and teeth that feel loose or look longer than they used to appear. A periodontal evaluation during your regular visit is the most reliable way to catch it early.
Is Scaling and Root Planing Painful?
We use local anesthesia during scaling and root planing, so most patients feel little to no discomfort during the procedure. Some mild sensitivity afterward is normal and typically fades within a few days.
How Often Will I Need Periodontal Maintenance Cleanings?
Most patients treated for gum disease return every three to four months for maintenance cleanings, though your exact schedule depends on how your tissue responds to treatment.
Does Insurance Cover Periodontal Treatment?
Coverage varies by plan, and our team can help verify your benefits before treatment begins. We also accept financing through Cherry and CareCredit for patients whose plans do not fully cover periodontal care.
Periodontal Care at Imagine Dentistry
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At Imagine Dentistry, Dr. Ann Blaine Coambs and our team bring decades of combined experience to every periodontal evaluation and treatment plan. Our newly renovated office in the Arboretum area of South Charlotte is equipped with current dental technology, and we accept a wide range of PPO and insurance plans along with financing through Cherry and CareCredit to help make care more accessible.
Your gum tissue supports everything else your smile depends on, and small changes such as bleeding, tenderness, or a persistent bad taste are worth addressing sooner rather than later. If you have noticed any of these signs or are simply due for a periodontal evaluation, contact our office to schedule your visit with Dr. Coambs and our team. Love.Your.Smile.
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