Healthy teeth depend on healthy gums. Periodontics focuses on preventing, identifying, and treating conditions that affect the gums, tooth roots, and supporting bone.
Dr. John Savukinas has completed more than 1,500 periodontal therapy and gum disease cases. He uses clinical findings, gum measurements, and dental imaging to determine whether a patient needs preventive care, nonsurgical periodontal treatment, or more advanced evaluation.
Concerned about your gum health in Rockville, MD?
Call 301-738-1155 or request an appointment online.
What Does Periodontics Treat?
Periodontal care addresses the tissues that surround and support the teeth. These include the gums, periodontal ligament, tooth roots, and jawbone.
Patients may seek periodontal care because of:
- Bleeding or swollen gums
- Persistent bad breath
- Gum recession
- Deep periodontal pockets
- Bone loss around the teeth
- Loose or shifting teeth
- Changes in the way the teeth fit together
- Gumline concerns affecting restorative or cosmetic treatment
Periodontics also includes ongoing maintenance for patients who have previously been treated for periodontal disease.
Our Periodontal Services
The appropriate service depends on the condition of your gums and the depth of the infection. Some patients need preventive monitoring, while others require treatment below the gumline.
Your Gums May Be Telling You Something
Gum problems often begin gradually. A small amount of blood on a toothbrush or floss may be easy to dismiss, especially when there is no pain.
However, bleeding can be an early sign of inflammation. Other changes may include:
- Red or puffy gum tissue
- Tenderness when brushing or eating
- Gums that appear to pull away from the teeth
- Teeth looking longer than they once did
- Spaces developing between teeth
- A recurring unpleasant taste
- Persistent mouth odor
These symptoms do not always indicate advanced disease, but they are worth evaluating.
From Gingivitis to Periodontitis
Periodontal disease develops in stages.
Gingivitis
Gingivitis is the earliest stage. Plaque irritates the gums, causing redness, swelling, or bleeding. At this point, the deeper supporting tissues and bone have not yet been permanently damaged.
Professional cleaning and improved oral hygiene may help restore healthier gum tissue.
Periodontitis
Periodontitis occurs when infection progresses beneath the gumline. The gums may separate from the teeth and create periodontal pockets where bacteria and tartar collect.
As the condition advances, it can damage the bone and connective tissues that support the teeth. Treatment is then focused on controlling infection and limiting further breakdown.
How We Evaluate Periodontal Health
A periodontal evaluation looks beyond whether the gums appear red or swollen. Dr. Savukinas may gather several types of information before making a recommendation.
The evaluation may include:
- Measuring the spaces between the teeth and gums
- Checking which areas bleed during examination
- Looking for plaque and tartar below the gumline
- Recording areas of gum recession
- Checking tooth mobility
- Reviewing dental images for changes in bone support
- Evaluating existing crowns, bridges, implants, or dentures
- Discussing tobacco use, medications, and health conditions
These findings help distinguish mild inflammation from more established periodontal disease.
Periodontal Treatment Is Not One-Size-Fits-All
The treatment plan depends on the stage of disease, the number of areas involved, and how the tissues respond.
Preventive Cleaning and Home Care
When inflammation is limited to gingivitis, a professional cleaning and better plaque control at home may be enough to improve gum health.
Routine dental cleanings and exams also make it easier to identify changes before they become more extensive.
Scaling and Root Planing
When plaque and tartar extend into deeper periodontal pockets, Dr. Savukinas may recommend scaling and root planing.
This nonsurgical treatment removes deposits from below the gumline and cleans affected root surfaces.
Gum Disease Treatment
Patients with periodontitis may need a broader plan that includes deep cleaning, follow-up measurement, antimicrobial support, and ongoing periodontal maintenance.
Learn more about gum disease treatment.
Advanced Periodontal Care
Some areas may not respond fully to nonsurgical treatment. When deep pockets, significant bone loss, or complex defects are present, Dr. Savukinas may recommend evaluation by a periodontal specialist.
Why Periodontal Maintenance Matters
Periodontal treatment removes existing buildup and helps control active infection, but it does not eliminate future risk. Plaque continues to form every day.
Patients with a history of periodontitis may need maintenance visits more often than patients receiving routine preventive cleanings.
Periodontal maintenance may include:
- Cleaning above and below the gumline
- Monitoring pocket depths
- Checking for recurrent bleeding
- Reviewing areas of gum recession
- Evaluating tooth stability
- Reinforcing home-care techniques
The recommended schedule is based on your response to treatment, rate of plaque buildup, remaining pocket depths, and health history.
Gum Health Affects Restorative and Cosmetic Care
Healthy gums provide support around natural teeth and dental restorations. Active periodontal disease can affect the stability and appearance of crowns, bridges, dentures, implants, and cosmetic treatment.
Before beginning more extensive dental care, Dr. Savukinas may recommend improving gum health first.
This can be especially important when treatment involves:
- Dental implants
- Dental crowns or bridges
- Veneers or bonding
- Full-mouth reconstruction
- Removable or implant-supported dentures
Controlling inflammation creates a healthier foundation for future care.
Factors That May Raise the Risk of Gum Disease
Plaque is the main cause of periodontal disease, but several factors may increase risk or affect healing.
These may include:
- Smoking or other tobacco use
- Diabetes
- Dry mouth
- Certain medications
- Genetic susceptibility
- Hormonal changes
- Stress
- Crowded teeth
- Dental work that is difficult to clean
- Inconsistent brushing and interdental cleaning
Share your medical history and current medications with Dr. Savukinas. This information may affect both treatment planning and maintenance recommendations.
Periodontal Experience That Supports Long-Term Care
Gum disease management requires more than one cleaning appointment. It involves diagnosis, treatment, reevaluation, and continued monitoring.
Dr. Savukinas has completed more than 1,500 periodontal therapy and gum disease cases. His broader restorative experience helps him assess how gum health affects tooth stability, bite function, and existing dental work.
He is also a Fellow of the Academy of General Dentistry and has served as a faculty member at the University of Maryland School of Dentistry since 1994.
Frequently Asked Questions About Periodontics
What is periodontics?
Periodontics is the area of dentistry concerned with the gums and the structures supporting the teeth. It includes the prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and ongoing management of periodontal disease.
What are the early signs of gum disease?
Early signs may include bleeding, redness, swelling, tenderness, and persistent bad breath. Some patients have few noticeable symptoms, which is why regular examinations are important.
Is bleeding when I floss normal?
Regular bleeding is commonly associated with gum inflammation and should not be ignored. It may improve with better plaque control, but persistent bleeding should be evaluated.
What is the difference between a regular cleaning and periodontal treatment?
A regular cleaning focuses mainly on deposits around and above the gumline. Periodontal treatment may involve cleaning below the gumline and inside deeper pockets around the tooth roots.
Can gum disease cause loose teeth?
Advanced periodontal disease can damage the bone and connective tissues that support the teeth. As support is lost, teeth may become mobile or shift position.
Can periodontitis be cured permanently?
Periodontitis can often be controlled, but it generally requires ongoing management. Daily home care, professional maintenance, and monitoring are important because bacterial buildup can return.
How often will I need periodontal maintenance?
The interval depends on disease severity, remaining pocket depths, plaque accumulation, medical history, and response to treatment. Dr. Savukinas will recommend an individualized schedule.
Does gum disease affect dental implants?
Inflammation and infection can affect the gums and bone around dental implants. Patients with implants still need daily cleaning, professional maintenance, and monitoring of the surrounding tissues.
What areas do you serve?
Dr. Savukinas provides periodontics in Rockville, Maryland, and serves patients from Gaithersburg, Germantown, North Potomac, Potomac, and nearby communities.
Schedule a Periodontal Evaluation in Rockville, Maryland
Bleeding gums, recession, bad breath, and tooth mobility may be signs that the supporting tissues need attention. A periodontal evaluation can identify the cause and help determine the appropriate next step.
Call 301-738-1155 or schedule your periodontal appointment online.