Specialist care for your gums
An assessment of your gum health, with treatment and maintenance explained in clear steps.
Or Call: (510) 495-1075
Meet your periodontist
Dr. Irene Louie completed specialty training in periodontics. She evaluates the gums and supporting structures of your teeth and discusses the recommended care. Ask about alternatives, the expected visits, and how ongoing maintenance fits into the plan.
Periodontal Disease Treatment Options in the Bay Area
Periodontal treatment depends on the stage and severity of your gum disease. Your dentist will evaluate your specific situation and recommend the most appropriate care.
For early-stage gum disease (gingivitis), professional dental cleanings combined with improved home care often help resolve inflammation. Your hygienist removes tartar buildup that brushing and flossing cannot eliminate.
Scaling and root planing is a nonsurgical deep-cleaning procedure used to treat periodontitis. It removes plaque and tartar below the gumline and smooths the root surfaces to support healing and make them harder for bacteria to accumulate. In many cases, nonsurgical treatment can help control the infection and reduce inflammation, though some patients may need additional treatment.
Ongoing periodontal maintenance visits at intervals recommended by your dentist help patients with a history of gum disease maintain their results. Regular periodontal maintenance helps control plaque and tartar buildup and lowers the risk of renewed inflammation or disease progression.
For advanced periodontal disease, treatment by a periodontist and additional nonsurgical or surgical procedures may be appropriate. These advanced treatments help restore gum health and prevent tooth loss.
What to Expect During Periodontal Treatment
Your periodontal journey begins with a comprehensive evaluation and diagnosis. We examine your gums, measure pocket depths around each tooth, review digital X-rays, and clearly discuss our findings and recommendations.
We then develop a personalized periodontal treatment plan addressing your specific needs. Treatment begins with professional cleaning or deep cleaning as appropriate for your situation. You receive detailed instructions on home care techniques that maximize treatment effectiveness.
Follow-up visits monitor how your gums respond to treatment and assess healing progress. As on your gums' response to treatment, we’ll continue to adjust your periodontal maintenance schedule as needed.
Benefits of Early Gum Disease Treatment
Treating gum disease early provides important benefits for your oral health and overall well-being:
Helps stop the progression of gum disease before permanent damage occurs.
Helps protect teeth and supporting bone from damage caused by infection and inflammation.
Reduces inflammation and bleeding, allowing gums to return to health.
Improves oral health by reducing plaque, tartar, and harmful bacteria around the teeth and gums.
Helps lower the risk of tooth loss by preserving teeth and their support structures.
Supports oral health by reducing chronic inflammation in the gums.
Early intervention is far more effective than trying to reverse advanced damage.
Why Choose Total Health Dental Care for Periodontal Treatment?
When seeking periodontics, gum disease treatment, a gum specialist, or a dentist for gum disease in Oakland or Berkeley, our practice offers comprehensive care from experienced professionals. Our team understands the progression of gum disease and develops personalized treatment plans addressing your unique needs.
Experienced, patient-focused dental team: Our dentists and hygienists have extensive training in treating all stages of gum disease. We explain your condition clearly and discuss treatment options thoroughly.
Personalized periodontal treatment plans: We develop individualized care plans based on your specific gum health status, disease stage, and treatment goals.
Preventive approach to long-term gum health: Beyond treating existing disease, we emphasize prevention and maintenance strategies to keep your gums healthy over the long term.
Comprehensive dental care under one roof: From routine cleanings to advanced periodontal treatment, we manage all aspects of your dental health under one roof.
Convenient Oakland & Berkeley locations: Our accessible practice locations make it easy to fit treatment and maintenance appointments into your life.
Dental memberships: We offer dental membership plans to make care more affordable for uninsured patients,
Meet Our Trusted Periodontist, Dr. Louie
Dr. Louie is not just any periodontist—she’s a superstar in the field of periodontics. With extensive training and years of experience, Dr. Louie has successfully treated countless patients with gum disease and other periodontal issues. Her approach combines the latest in dental technology with a personalized touch, ensuring that every patient receives the best care possible. Whether you’re dealing with early-stage gum disease or more advanced periodontal issues, Dr. Louie is here to help you regain your oral health.
Schedule a Periodontal Consultation in Oakland or Berkeley
Don't let gum disease progress silently. If you've noticed bleeding gums, swelling, or other warning signs, schedule a consultation at our Oakland or Berkeley location today.
Our team will evaluate your gum health, explain our findings, and discuss treatment options. Early intervention can often reduce the need for more complex treatment later. Explore our other available dental services and meet our skilled dental team who are ready to help restore and maintain your healthy gums.
Book Your Appointment Today
Don’t let gum disease compromise your smile. Contact Total Health Dental Care today to schedule a consultation with our expert periodontist, Dr. Louie. We’re here to protect your gums, your teeth, and your overall health.
Explore all our Total Health Dental Care Clinics in the Bay Area
FAQs about Periodontics and Gum Care
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A periodontist is a dental specialist who focuses on the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of gum disease (periodontal disease) and the placement of dental implants. While general dentists handle a wide range of dental care, periodontists receive additional training in managing complex gum issues and performing advanced procedures related to gum health and bone structure.
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Treatment for gum disease depends on the severity of the disease. Early gingivitis may resolve with professional cleaning and improved home care. Moderate periodontitis typically requires deep cleaning (scaling and root planing), in which tartar is removed from below the gumline. Some patients need ongoing periodontal maintenance cleanings at regular intervals recommended by their dentist. Advanced cases may require specialized periodontal procedures or surgery to help manage disease and address gum or bone loss.
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Periodontal treatment typically isn't painful, as local anesthesia may be used to minimize discomfort before deep cleaning or other periodontal procedures. You may feel pressure or vibration during treatment, and temporary tenderness or sensitivity can occur afterward. Some sensitivity can occur after deep cleaning as gums heal and tooth roots become exposed, but this usually resolves within days.
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We offer a comprehensive range of periodontal services at our Oakland office, including non-surgical treatments like scaling and root planing, surgical procedures such as gum grafting and pocket reduction, and advanced options like dental implants. Dr.Louie tailors each treatment plan to address your specific gum health needs.
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During your first visit with Dr. Louie, she will perform a thorough examination of your gums, teeth, and jawbone. This may include X-rays and measurements of the pockets around your teeth. Based on the examination, Dr. Louie will discuss your diagnosis and recommend a personalized treatment plan to address your gum health.
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Surgical treatment may be necessary if non-surgical approaches like scaling and root planing don't adequately control disease or bone loss is too advanced to manage with non-surgical treatment alone. Depending on the condition being treated, procedures may include flap surgery to access deep periodontal pockets, regenerative procedures for certain areas of bone loss, or gum grafting to address recession.
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Preventing gum disease requires maintaining good oral hygiene practices, such as brushing twice daily, flossing regularly, and visiting your dentist for routine cleanings. For those who have undergone periodontal treatment, a dentist will create a tailored post-treatment plan to monitor your gum health and prevent recurrence.
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By choosing Total Health Dental Care, you're choosing a team led by Dr. Louie, a highly skilled periodontist with extensive experience in gum care and dental implants. Our state-of-the-art technology, comprehensive care approach, and dedication to patient-centered treatment ensure that your gum health is in the best possible hands.
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Scheduling an appointment with our superstar periodontist Dr. Louie, is easy! You can book online through our patient portal or call our office directly.
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Cost varies based on disease severity, the number of teeth affected, and the type of treatment. Many dental insurance plans provide partial coverage for periodontal treatment, but benefits and deductibles vary by plan. We help patients understand costs upfront and discuss payment options and membership programs to make treatment affordable.
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Total Health Dental Care accepts all major private dental insurance (PPO) plans, including :
Premera
UMR
Guardian
Beam
Cigna
Delta Dental
MetLife
Aetna
Principal
Anthem Blue Cross
SHIP
Before any treatment begins, we verify your benefits and clearly present all costs upfront. For additional questions about insurance coverage at Total Health Dental Care, please call (510) 495-1075 or submit a question through our “Email us” contact form below.
For uninsured patients, explore our membership plans for affordable long-term dental coverage.
Transparent Billing
We're upfront with pricing and billing, so you’ll always know costs before treatment—no surprises, just clear communication.
Full-Service Dentistry
We offer a full range of dental services, from periodontics and orthodontics to dental implants and veneers—all in one location.
No Judgment Ever
Everyone's mouth is unique. We ensure a comfortable, non-judgmental environment, so you feel at ease during every visit.
Comprehensive Care
All dental specialists under one roof for seamless, expert care—from orthodontics to crowns and root canals, all in one place.