Periodontics in San Diego, CA

The term “periodontics” refers to the dental specialty that pertains to the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of periodontal disease that affects the gums and jawbone. The gum tissues serve to surround and support the teeth and the underlying jawbone anchors teeth firmly in place.

Periodontal disease is a progressive condition which begins with mild gum inflammation called gingivitis. It is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults living in the developed world, and should be taken very seriously. Periodontal disease (often called gum disease) is typically signified by red, swollen, painful, or bleeding gums, but in some cases has no noticeable symptoms.

Periodontal disease generally begins when the bacteria living in plaque cause an infection in the surrounding tissues of the teeth, causing them to become irritated and painful. Eventually, this infection will cause the jawbone to recede and the tooth to become loose.

There are several reasons why periodontal treatment may be necessary:

  • Moderate/advanced gum disease – This occurs when the gums are bleeding, swollen or red around most teeth and the jawbone has begun to recede.
  •  Localized gum recession – The infection which propagates moderate or advanced gum disease often begins in one area.  Gum recession may also be caused due to over brushing with a hard bristle brush, or due to a tooth that is not positioned properly.  Immediate treatment is required to prevent further spreading.
  •  Before crown lengthening – The periodontist may lengthen the crown of the tooth by removing surrounding soft tissue to provide more tooth exposure.
  •  Ridge augmentation – This procedure, often called “recontouring” may be required to correct an uneven gum line.  Before embarking on treatment, a periodontist needs to treat any bacterial infections and periodontitis.


In the case of mild/moderate periodontal problems, the focus of the periodontist will be on curing the underlying bacterial infection and then providing advice on the most appropriate home cleaning methods.

Sometimes a deep scaling is needed to remove the bacterial plaque and calculus (tartar) from the teeth and tissues. Where periodontal disease is advanced and the jawbone has regressed significantly, more intensive cleaning may be recommended and loose teeth that cannot be saved will be removed.

The periodontist is trained in all aspects of dental implant procedures, which can restore functionality to the mouth when teeth have been affected by periodontitis.

Because periodontal disease is progressive, it is essential to remove the bacteria and calculus build up to halt the spread of the infection. Your dentist will be happy to advise you on effective cleaning methods and treatment options.

Dr. Friedman is proud to offer one of the latest services in periodontal care today to ensure his patients’ comfort and satisfaction! The Chao Pinhole® Technique eliminates the needs for scalpels or messy sutures altogether, allowing you to lay back and relax as our team corrects and minimizes the gum recession you’ve experienced.

During this treatment, Dr. Friedman will create a very small hole in the gums with a special needle. Then, special, advanced instruments are used to carefully loosen your gum tissue and move it back into a healthy position over the tooth – that’s it! The lack of any cutting or stitching of the tissue should reduce any post-operative bleeding or swelling, and there are often enjoyable cosmetic benefits to the procedure in addition to improved oral health. 

Gum therapy treatment patient smiling

At MOD Squad Dental, we do everything possible to keep your natural teeth intact as long as possible. Your smile can last a lifetime with regular dental visits and preventive care. We make hygiene visits fun, and studies show that preventing gum disease can add years to your life.

You may not think gum disease is a problem for you, but it’s actually more common than most people realize. In fact, studies show that up to 80% of Americans have some form of gum disease. In fact, recent studies have linked gum disease to heart disease and diabetes, showing that people with this condition are twice as likely to develop these systemic illnesses.

We can help you prevent gum disease with regular cleanings and control it with periodontal maintenance. If it’s been a while since your last dental appointment, schedule one with Dr. Friedman today and get back on the track to a healthy smile and a healthy you!

At MOD Squad Dental,you’ll be treated with kindness and caring, and we’ll never think of scolding or judging you – our only desire is to help you enjoy better, brighter oral health.

Before any surgical intervention is required, scaling and root planing could be the saving grace that restores health to your gums. Dr. Friedman will typically recommend this in-depth cleaning when the gums have started to pull away from the teeth. The scaling will involve the removal of plaque from below the gumline, while the root planing consists of smoothing the tooth roots and removing rough spots that can cause bacteria to gather and accumulate.