Periodontal Therapy in Chicago, IL

Protecting the Foundation of Your Smile

Your teeth get a lot of attention but it's your gums that hold everything together. Healthy gum tissue and supporting bone are the foundation on which every tooth in your mouth depends. When that foundation is compromised by gum disease, the consequences extend far beyond bleeding or swollen gums. Untreated periodontal disease is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults and has been linked to serious systemic health conditions, including heart disease, diabetes, and stroke.

At Smile Era Dental, our team provides comprehensive periodontal therapy and gum disease treatment for patients across Chicago's northwest side and surrounding communities. Whether you're in the earliest stages of gingivitis or managing more advanced periodontal disease, we are here to help you restore and maintain the gum health your smile depends on.

Schedule Your Periodontal Evaluation Today

What Is Periodontal Disease?

Periodontal disease, commonly known as gum disease, is a chronic bacterial infection of the gums and supporting bone structures around the teeth. It begins when plaque, the sticky film of bacteria that constantly forms on teeth, is not adequately removed through brushing and flossing and is allowed to accumulate along and below the gumline.

Over time, this bacterial buildup triggers an inflammatory response in the gum tissue. Left untreated, the infection progressively destroys the gum tissue and jawbone that anchor the teeth in place, eventually leading to loose teeth, shifting teeth, and ultimately tooth loss.

The Stages of Gum Disease

Understanding the stage of gum disease is key to choosing the right treatment.

CONSULT

This is the first step in the full arch process. During this appointment, you will meet with your Dr. Kurt O. Bally DMD FICOI to discuss your needs and options for dental implants. The consultation will typically take about an hour. This first and free visit is $525 value.

STEP 1

STEP 2

RECORDS

Your dentist will take a series of records, including dental x-rays, 3D scans, and photographs. These records will be used to create a treatment plan and to fabricate your dental implants.

PRE-SURGICAL CONSULT

This appointment is held before the surgery to discuss the risks and benefits of the procedure, as well as the recovery process. You will also have a chance to ask any questions you may have.

STEP 3

STEP 4

SURGERY

This is the procedure where the implants are placed into your jawbone. The surgery typically takes about 2 hours per jaw and is done safely with oral anesthesia. All patients leave with their new temporary teeth on the day of the surgery and will return within 1-2 weeks to have their first post-op visit and receive their fist implant prototype teeth. It is important to remain on a very soft diet after surgery and before receiving your first prototype.

PROTOTYPES

1-2 weeks after your surgery you will return to check your healing and receive your first set of implant prototype teeth that will be attached directly to your implants. We allow up to 3 versions of teeth during the healing process to ensure the dentist and patient is happy with the look and feel. As your implants heal your dentist will create a series of prototypes for your implant bridge. These prototypes will be used to test the fit and function of the bridge before it is permanently placed.

STEP 5

STEP 6

HEALING

The implants will need to heal for 4-6 months before the next step can be taken. Dr. Bally will also provide a night guard to help prevent excess pressure from going to your implants. As you heal you will remain on a soft diet.

PROTOTYPING AND VERIFICATION

Once the implants have healed, your dentist will create a final prototype of your dental bridge. This prototype will be verified to ensure that it is the correct size, shape, and color. Before authorizing the fabrication of your new zirconia implant smile.

STEP 7

STEP 8

DELIVERY

This is the appointment where your permanent dental bridge is placed. The procedure typically takes about 1 hour. It's a truly rewarding visit for everyone.

POST-DELIVERY CONSULT AND DOCUMENTATION

This appointment is held after your new zirconia implant smile is installed and your final night guard is given and instructions to maintain your smile are discussed. Final pictures, X-rays and video mark the end of your zirconia implant smile journey.

STEP 9

STEP 10

MAINTENANCE

Your zirconia implant smile will need to be maintained on a regular basis to ensure that it continues to function properly. This may include cleaning, adjustments, and checkups.

Gingivitis

The earliest and most reversible stage, causing red, swollen, or bleeding gums and occasional bad breath. With professional cleanings and good home care, it can be completely reversed.

Mild to Moderate Periodontitis

The infection spreads below the gumline, causing gum recession, deeper pockets, bone loss, and persistent bad breath. Deep cleaning (scaling and root planing) is typically needed.

Severe Periodontitis

Advanced gum disease can lead to significant bone loss, receding gums, loose teeth, bite changes, and even tooth loss. More extensive periodontal treatment may be required to restore oral health.

Comprehensive Periodontal Evaluation

Every new patient at Smile Era Dental receives a comprehensive periodontal evaluation as part of their initial exam. This includes:

Periodontal probing — measuring the depth of the pockets between each tooth and the surrounding gum tissue at six points per tooth. Healthy pockets measure 1–3mm; deeper pockets indicate the presence and severity of periodontal disease
Bleeding on probing — identifying sites of active infection and inflammation
Recession assessment — measuring how far the gum tissue has receded from its ideal position
Mobility assessment — evaluating whether any teeth have become loose as a result of bone loss
Radiographic bone level assessment — using digital X-rays and, where appropriate, our CBCT 3D imaging technology to evaluate the level and pattern of bone loss around each tooth

This data gives us a complete, precise map of your periodontal health, allowing us to stage and grade your disease accurately and design the most appropriate treatment plan.

Warning Signs of Gum Disease

Many patients with gum disease experience few or no noticeable symptoms in the early stages, which is one reason it so frequently goes undiagnosed. At Smile Era Dental, we screen for periodontal disease at every routine exam. However, we encourage patients to contact us promptly if they notice any of the following:

Bleeding gums — particularly when brushing, flossing, or eating
Red, swollen, or tender gum tissue
Persistent bad breath that doesn't resolve with brushing
Gum recession — teeth appearing longer or roots becoming visible
Loose or shifting teeth
New spaces developing between teeth
Changes in bite — the way upper and lower teeth fit together feels different
Sensitive teeth — particularly along the gumline
Gums that have pulled away from the teeth, creating visible pockets
Pain when chewing

Please don't ignore these signs. Gum disease is progressive. It does not resolve on its own, and delaying treatment only allows it to advance further.

Your Gum Health Can't Wait. Let's Get It Back on Track

Gum disease is progressive, silent, and far more common than most people realize. But with the right treatment and the right dental team, it is absolutely manageable and in its early stages, completely reversible. At Smile Era Dental, we have the expertise, the technology, and the genuine commitment to patient care to help you restore and maintain the healthy gums your smile depends on.

Don't wait for symptoms to worsen. The sooner we evaluate your gum health, the more options we have to help you.

Schedule Your Periodontal Evaluation

New patients are always welcome. We accept most major PPO dental insurance plans.

Frequently Asked Questions About Periodontal Therapy

A regular cleaning — called a prophylaxis — is a preventive treatment performed on patients with generally healthy gums. It removes plaque and tartar from the visible surfaces of the teeth and just at the gumline. A deep cleaning — scaling and root planing — is a therapeutic treatment for patients who have developed periodontal disease. It goes significantly below the gumline to remove bacterial deposits from the root surfaces of the teeth within the periodontal pockets. The two procedures serve very different purposes and are not interchangeable.

Scaling and root planing is performed under local anesthesia, so you should not feel pain during the procedure — only pressure and movement. After the anesthesia wears off, some tenderness and sensitivity in the treated areas is normal for a few days. Most patients manage post-treatment discomfort comfortably with over-the-counter pain relievers as needed. The vast majority of our patients tell us the procedure was much more comfortable than they anticipated.

Gingivitis — the earliest stage of gum disease — is completely reversible with professional treatment and improved home care. More advanced periodontal disease cannot be fully cured, but it can be effectively controlled and managed. With appropriate treatment and consistent periodontal maintenance visits, most patients with periodontitis can stabilize their condition, stop further bone loss, and maintain their teeth for life. The key is commitment to both professional care and thorough daily oral hygiene at home.

Common warning signs include bleeding gums when brushing or flossing, red or swollen gum tissue, persistent bad breath, gum recession, loose teeth, and changes in your bite. However, gum disease frequently causes no noticeable symptoms in its early stages — which is why regular dental exams with periodontal screening at Smile Era Dental are so important. Don't wait for symptoms to appear before getting checked.

Most PPO dental insurance plans provide coverage for periodontal therapy, including scaling and root planing, when it is clinically necessary and properly documented. Coverage percentages vary by plan. At Smile Era Dental, we are in-network with most major PPO insurance plans and will verify your benefits and explain your estimated costs before beginning any treatment. Call us at 773-594-0655 with questions about your specific coverage.

Following active periodontal treatment, most patients are placed on a periodontal maintenance schedule of every three to four months rather than the standard six-month interval. These more frequent visits are essential for monitoring healing, maintaining the results of treatment, and catching any signs of disease recurrence before they progress. Over time, as your gum health stabilizes, your doctor may adjust your maintenance interval based on your individual response to treatment.

Yes — and this is precisely why periodontal maintenance is so important. Periodontal disease is caused by bacteria that are always present in the mouth. Once you have a history of periodontal disease, you are at permanently elevated risk for recurrence. Consistent professional maintenance visits combined with thorough daily brushing and flossing are the most effective way to keep gum disease in remission long-term.

Yes — and it is well established in the research literature. The bacteria associated with periodontal infections can enter the bloodstream and contribute to the inflammatory processes linked to cardiovascular disease, including heart attack and stroke. People with untreated periodontal disease have been shown to have a significantly higher risk of cardiovascular events compared to those with healthy gums. Treating gum disease is an investment not just in your smile but in your overall health.

Bleeding gums are never normal — and they should never be ignored. Healthy gum tissue does not bleed with routine brushing or flossing. Bleeding is one of the earliest and most reliable warning signs of gum inflammation and the presence of periodontal disease. If your gums bleed regularly, schedule an evaluation at Smile Era Dental so we can assess what's causing it and address it before it progresses further.

Good home care is absolutely essential — but it is not sufficient on its own for patients with a history of periodontal disease. Brushing twice daily with a soft-bristled toothbrush, flossing every day, and using any adjunctive home care tools recommended by your doctor are all critical. However, professional maintenance visits at Smile Era Dental every three to four months are equally essential — because professional instruments can access areas and remove deposits that no toothbrush or floss can reach, particularly in areas previously affected by disease.

New Patients & Emergency Appointments Are Welcome

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773-594-0655