Healthy gums hold everything else up.
Gum disease is a progressive infection — but it doesn't have to progress. From gentle deep cleanings to laser therapy and gum grafting, Dr. Arielle Forbes, DMD treats gum disease at every stage, with the least invasive option that actually works.
Non-surgical first, always
Treatment starts with the least invasive option: scaling and root planing, a specialized deep cleaning. An ultrasonic device clears plaque and tartar from under the gum line and around the root — where a regular cleaning can't reach — then the surfaces are smoothed so your gum tissue can reattach. Caught early enough, this may be the only treatment your gums need.
Laser dentistry: comfort meets precision
Fear of treatment keeps too many people from a healthy smile. Minimally invasive laser technology lets us treat more gently and more precisely — used across a range of conditions, including:
Gum disease & peri-implantitis
Targeted treatment of infection around natural teeth and dental implants.
Gum recontouring & frenectomy
Precise soft-tissue shaping for health and a balanced smile line.
And beyond
Ulcer treatment, composite fillings, implant surgery, and TMJ/muscle evaluation and therapy.
Gum graft surgery for receding gums
When gums recede, more of the tooth — and eventually the root — is exposed. Teeth look longer, hot and cold start to sting, and exposed roots become vulnerable to decay. Gum graft surgery covers the exposed root with your own tissue, protects against further recession and bone loss, reduces sensitivity, and restores a more even gum line. Dr. Arielle Forbes, DMD uses minimally invasive techniques designed for quick, uncomplicated recovery.
Connective-tissue grafts
The most common approach: tissue from beneath the palate's surface, stitched over the exposed root.
Free gingival grafts
Tissue taken directly from the palate — generally used to thicken naturally thin gums.
Pedicle grafts
A flap of gum tissue from a neighboring tooth, slid sideways to cover the recession and stitched in place.
Grafting is also chosen for cosmetic reasons — softening a "toothy" smile into a more symmetrical gum line. Dr. Forbes will explain which approach fits your case.
How to get started
- EvaluationYour gum health and overall oral care are assessed together — recession, pocket depth, bone support, and any existing dental work.
- A staged planNon-surgical options first; surgery only when it's genuinely what your case needs — explained plainly either way.
- Treatment under one roofA state-of-the-art surgical facility with a fully staffed in-house lab means your care happens in one office — often in a single day — not across multiple practices.
Gum health questions
What is periodontal (gum) disease?
A progressive infection caused by harmful oral bacteria. Left untreated, it leads to bone loss, loose teeth, and eventually tooth loss. The good news: caught at moderate stages, it often responds to non-surgical treatment.
What is scaling and root planing?
A deep cleaning that reaches where regular cleanings can’t — under the gum line and around the root. Plaque and tartar are removed with an ultrasonic device, then the tooth and root surfaces are smoothed so gum tissue can reattach. For gum disease caught early enough, it may be the only treatment you need.
Does gum disease treatment hurt?
Fear keeps many patients from getting care they need — which only lets the disease progress. Our gentle approach and minimally invasive laser technology are designed for comfort, and we plan every visit around keeping you at ease.
Will I need surgery?
We always start with the least invasive option that fits your situation. Many cases are managed non-surgically; more advanced cases may call for surgical care, including gum grafting for recession. Either way, you’ll know exactly why before anything is scheduled.
How do I keep gum disease from coming back?
Aftercare is everything: daily brushing and flossing, a healthy diet, avoiding tobacco, and regular checkups. Even a successful deep cleaning won’t hold without home care — we’ll show you exactly what your maintenance routine should look like.
What causes gums to recede?
Common culprits include aggressive brushing, gum disease, tobacco use, inadequate oral hygiene, oral piercings, poorly controlled diabetes, and genetics. An estimated 5–10% of adults are affected, and it often goes unnoticed until it becomes severe — which is why an evaluation matters.
Gum disease doesn't wait. Neither should you.
Bleeding gums, sensitivity, or teeth that look longer than they used to — an evaluation with Dr. Arielle Forbes, DMD tells you exactly where you stand.
Book your evaluation