Southland Dental Care

For mild to intermediate cases of gum disease, Dr. Hanookai may recommend periodontal scaling and root planing. Scaling is the removal of calculus (commonly called tartar) and plaque that attach to the tooth surfaces. The process especially targets the area below the gum line, along the root.

Plaque is more likely to stick to rough surfaces. For this reason, the root surface is smoothed down in a process called root planing. Root planing removes any remaining calculus and smoothes irregular areas of the root surface.

Your periodontal treatment will be done with a combination of ultrasonic scalers and hand instruments. Typically, ultrasonic instruments are used first to remove large deposits of plaque and calculus from the crowns and roots of the teeth. Hand instruments called scalers and curettes are then used to remove any remaining material and make sure that the tooth surface is clean and smooth. When working under the gum line, your dentist or hygienist cannot see the plaque or calculus. He or she will rely on the sense of touch to feel for roughness on the root surface.

Dr. Hanookai is a highly trained periodontist with years of experience providing periodontal and gum disease treatments to her patients in Sherman Oaks & Studio City. Dr. Hanookai can complete the scaling and root planing in one visit if you have gingivitis, the earliest stage of gum disease. However, if you have periodontitis, multiple visits are usually needed.

More severe cases of gum disease may require treatment beyond scaling and planing. With Laser Gum Treatment, Dr. Hanookai can provide you with rapid, comfortable treatment, even for advanced gum disease.

Laser Gum Treatment uses a beam of light to bring energy into your mouth through a tiny fiber optic to remove areas of infection and gum disease around the teeth with great precision and accuracy. This allows the body to heal naturally so the gum pockets improve and the teeth become more stable.

Dental laser surgery reduces the need for local anesthesia, bleeding is minimized, swelling is controlled, and there is usually little, if any, post-operative discomfort.

Following therapy, regular cleanings are vital to maintaining periodontal health. Maintenance and good oral hygiene are the keys to good oral health. Studies have shown that people who do not receive periodontal maintenance regularly have 20 times the amount of bone loss as those who do.

For cases where there are some residual pockets deeper than 3mm or where the patient has shown a high susceptibility to breakdown, three month (or more frequent) recalls are critical. In these cases, where the patient cannot reach all areas with oral hygiene techniques, bacteria form colonies (plaque) immediately after treatment.

Studies have shown that following initial therapy, the levels of periodontal bacteria are reduced for up to 42 days before returning to pretreatment levels (Listgarten 1980). Recall frequencies are custom to each patient's needs, taking into consideration risk factors (smoking, diabetes), homecare, and clinical evaluation (pocket depths, bleeding, tissue tone, etc.).

Normally, however, it takes plaque about three months to develop into an aggressive infection. During the first three months there is minimal bone loss, but after ninety days the breakdown dramatically increases. If the plaque is removed every three months, the plaque aggressiveness will stay low.

"I waited for 10 years to have this surgery because I thought it would be painful and have a long recovery.

"I have never been more wrong about anything. I had surgery beginning at 11 A.M. both times and never felt anything. I never required any pain medication after the Novocain. I have a regular meal the same night.

"I'm just sorry I waited so long. I can't say enough about Dr. Hanookai and her staff. I recommend her to everyone needing periodontal work." — William H.

"My gums are healthy and no longer receding. I no longer experience any sensitivity to cold or heat as I've always had.

You runneth over with undying enthusiasm, energy, and spirit, kindled by your true passion for your work. I feel incredibly fortunate to have found you — through a coupon no less. I feel confident that I have a much better chance at curtailing aging dental difficulties due to your par excellence surgeries, requiring years of practice, teaching and ongoing training.

Thank you again for such exceptional work, understanding and compassion. — Anita S.

"Dare I say I found the best periodontist in southern CA, if not the country!?

"From my first visit, Dr. Hanookai, Dr. Abaian and the entire staff were warm and made me feel like family. It's rare to find a doctor who seems genuinely concerned about your condition. After my initial exam and some tests, the doctors explained to me what exactly was happening, and were immediately proactive by outlining a "game plan" in order to determine the cause, and how to prevent or slow further recession. Finally, I felt like I found someone who actually knew what they were doing... what a relief!?" — Josh C.