Perioscopy
The perioscope is an amazing technology which can assist in the treatment of periodontal disease and peri-implant disease. It is an endoscope that has been specifically designed to explore and visualize the pocket (space) under the gum of teeth involved with periodontitis or implants involved with peri-implantitis. It works much in the same way as the endoscopes used by orthopedic surgeons to visualize the knee or shoulder in arthroscopic surgery.
An image on a computer monitor shows the diseased tooth's root surface or implant surface, deep within the pocket. The perioscope enables the clinician to see the contents of the periodontal pocket and to analyze the root or implant surface of the tooth for disease-causing bacterial accumulations (plaque and calculus), as well as exploration of root or implant fractures, implant surface problems, disease causing root problems, or decay deep below the gumline.
The perioscope can help guide the process of cleaning the root or implant surface free of plaque and calculus, or help diagnose things that traditionally we cannot see. While the perioscope does not eliminate the need for surgery it certainly reduces the need for surgery and allows a more minimally invasive approach to periodontal treatment.
If you have been told that you have gum disease or peri-implant disease and want to save your teeth and/or dental implants please contact Dr. Paris and Dr. Shumaker's office at 970-207-4061 to schedule a consultation, or ask your general dentist for a referral.