Effective Periodontal Treatment Strategies for Modern Practices

Every modern dental practice is looking for ways to improve patient outcomes.

00:11 31 July 2025

Every modern dental practice is looking for ways to improve patient outcomes, and there are certain areas that typically require far more work than others. One such area is the field of periodontal treatment, and it’s going to be our primary focus today. 

With patients routinely overlooking the importance of caring for the tissue and supporting structures around their teeth, periodontal issues are continually on the rise. By showing practice managers and dental care professionals how they can reshape their strategies accordingly, we want to outline what’s possible with a more comprehensive approach. 

Why are periodontal issues rising?

We have all become more conscious of our health and wellbeing in recent years, but our teeth remain a part of the body that is often overlooked. While there are cosmetic procedures that focus on improving the aesthetics of the teeth themselves, little or no advancements have been made in the field of periodontal awareness. 

Processed foods, high-sugar drinks, and other lifestyle choices each increase the likelihood of these types of issues arriving in the first place. Once they do, patients are often unaware of them for a prolonged period of time, only noticing that something is wrong when they begin to suffer acute pain and discomfort. The key is for practices to raise awareness of the solutions, rather than solely focusing on scare stories around the problems. 

Improved hygiene instruction 

Brushing demonstrations are no doubt already an integral part of every practice’s checkup routine, but what about the periodontal care steps that should also be undertaken? Many patients will simply be unaware that they need to do more than brush their teeth and rinse with mouthwash in order to maintain optimal oral health. A clear and easy-to-follow demonstration is all it takes to put the idea of periodontal care at the forefront of the mind of the vast majority of patients.

Greater product availability 

Having the correct floss that you have just recommended to your patients available for purchase at reception is a simple yet effective way to boost patient outcomes. As well as offering an additional revenue stream, it ensures that everyone can leave your practice with everything they need to follow through with what you have just agreed. It’s about removing as many of those little bits of friction as possible when you want to be able to set the tone for better patient outcomes. 

Periodontal gel treatments 

Options like Dentomycin are highly effective when you want to be able to apply antibiotic treatments to pockets that have developed periodontitis. It is particularly effective when used alongside scaling and root planning treatments in pockets that are 5mm or more in depth. Knowing that these types of gels are available can help practices to outline treatment pathways from beginning to end, giving patients greater comfort and reassurance in the process. 

Rooting planing and scaling

Practices who recommend that patients get the basics right and remove buildups of plaque and tartar from below the gumline are the practices that routinely achieve the best results. They will also smooth out the tooth roots where applicable, ensuring a greatly reduced likelihood of the return of issues in the future. 

Pocket reduction surgery 

In more severe cases, the gums may need to be folded back so that the affected area can be deep cleaned. It will then be sutured back in place in such a way that the depth of the periodontal pockets is greatly reduced. The goal here is to try and reduce the size of the breeding ground for infection while at the same time recommending preventative steps that the patient can take at come. Other forms of surgery may involve gum grafts that cover exposed tooth roots that have arisen as a result of receding gums. The roots are then protected against the risk of further damage and decay.

The importance of communication 

The practices that routinely achieve the best results with respect to patient care are the ones that invest the most time and effort in patient communication. Simple demonstrations that highlight the benefits of a holistic approach to dental hygiene are priceless. By showing patients that their teeth require more than just regular brushing, practices can make it clear which treatments and daily hygiene habits work on which parts of the mouth. 

Adopting a holistic approach, and highlighting the results that it can achieve, is always preferred to sticking solely with brushing and then looking at restorative treatments later on down the line. Focusing on prevention, rather than cure, is the secret to effective periodontal strategies.