Gum Therapy
in Troy, NY
Stop gum disease before it costs you teeth. Dr. Mahogany Miles, board-eligible periodontist, provides expert non-surgical and surgical gum therapy to restore and protect your oral health.
What Is Gum Disease — and Why Does It Matter?
Periodontal disease is a bacterial infection of the gums and supporting bone. It is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults, and left untreated, it does not resolve on its own.
Gum disease begins quietly. Plaque builds up along the gumline, bacteria colonize the space between gum and tooth, and the immune system responds with inflammation. In early stages this is called gingivitis and is fully reversible. As it advances into periodontitis, the bone and connective tissue anchoring your teeth are progressively destroyed.
What makes periodontal disease especially serious is its systemic reach. Research has firmly linked untreated gum disease to elevated risk of heart disease, stroke, poorly controlled diabetes, preterm birth, and respiratory infections. Managing your periodontal health is not just about keeping your teeth — it is about protecting your overall health.
Dr. Mahogany Miles is a board-eligible periodontist who completed 3 additional years of specialty training focused exclusively on the gums, bone, and structures that support the teeth. She provides a full spectrum of gum therapy — from conservative scaling and root planing to surgical correction — all in one practice without referrals.
Signs You May Have Gum Disease
- Bleeding gums when brushing or flossing
- Gums that look red, swollen, or feel tender
- Receding gums or teeth appearing longer
- Persistent bad breath that doesn't resolve
- Loose teeth or teeth that have shifted position
- Pus between the teeth and gums
- Sensitivity to cold at the gumline
- Pain when chewing
Understanding the Stages of Gum Disease
Periodontal disease progresses through distinct stages. Identifying where you are determines which treatment is appropriate. Many patients do not realize they have advanced disease because it is often painless until significant damage has occurred.
Dr. Miles performs a comprehensive periodontal evaluation using probing depth measurements, X-rays, and clinical examination to stage your disease precisely and build a targeted treatment plan.
Inflammation limited to the gum tissue. Bone is not yet affected. Fully reversible with professional cleaning and improved home care.
Bone loss has begun. Pockets of 4–5mm form between the tooth and gum. Scaling and root planing is the standard first-line treatment.
Deeper pockets of 5–7mm, increasing bone loss, and possible mobility. Non-surgical therapy may need to be followed by surgical intervention.
Pockets exceed 7mm, significant bone loss, tooth mobility, and bite changes. Surgical correction and often bone or gum grafting are required.
After active treatment, regular 3–4 month maintenance visits are essential to prevent recurrence and monitor stability long-term.
Advantages of Seeing a Periodontist
General dentists refer to Dr. Miles because the gums and bone require specialist-level expertise. Here is what that means for you.
3 Years of Additional Training
After dental school, periodontists complete a 3-year specialty residency focused entirely on the gum tissue, bone, and surrounding structures. Dr. Miles brings that depth of expertise to every appointment.
Comprehensive Diagnosis
Precise staging of gum disease requires detailed probing, radiographic analysis, and clinical assessment that goes well beyond a standard dental check. Dr. Miles maps your full periodontal condition at every visit.
Surgical and Non-Surgical Care In One Place
From conservative scaling and root planing through osseous surgery, gum grafts, and bone regeneration — everything is available in-house. No additional referrals, no fragmented care.
Implant & Gum Care Coordination
Because Dr. Miles also places dental implants, your periodontal health and implant needs are managed together. Active gum disease must be controlled before implant placement — she handles both seamlessly.
Gum Therapy Services at Troy Periodontics
The right treatment depends on the stage and severity of your condition. Dr. Miles will recommend the least invasive effective approach first.
The non-surgical gold standard for mild to moderate gum disease. Dr. Miles removes tartar and bacterial deposits from below the gumline and smooths root surfaces so that gum tissue can reattach. Performed with local anesthesia for your comfort.
For moderate to severe cases where pockets cannot be cleaned non-surgically, Dr. Miles gently reflects the gum tissue to directly access and reshape the bone, eliminate pockets, and remove disease-causing bacteria at their source.
When recession has exposed tooth roots, gum grafting restores lost tissue to cover roots, reduce sensitivity, and prevent further recession. Dr. Miles performs connective tissue, gingival, and pedicle grafts depending on your anatomy.
After active treatment, patients transition to more frequent cleanings every 3–4 months. These maintenance visits monitor pocket depths, remove bacterial buildup before it can reestablish, and keep your results stable long-term.
When Should You See a Periodontist?
You do not need a referral to see Dr. Miles. Patients come directly from the community as well as from referring dentists. Consider scheduling an evaluation if you experience any of the following:
- Bleeding gums during brushing or flossing — even occasional
- Gums that appear to have pulled away from your teeth
- Persistent bad breath despite good oral hygiene
- Loose or shifting teeth
- Sensitivity at the gumline or exposed roots
- A family history of gum disease or early tooth loss
- Smoking or tobacco use (significantly elevates risk)
- Diabetes, heart disease, or other systemic health conditions
- You have not had a periodontal evaluation in over a year
No Referral Needed
You can call Troy Periodontics directly at 518-274-5015 to schedule a consultation. Most patients are seen within a few days. If your dentist has referred you, we will coordinate your care and communicate findings back to them.
Gum disease does not resolve on its own. The earlier it is diagnosed and treated, the more conservative the treatment required and the better the long-term outcome for your teeth and your health. If you have any concern about your gum health, an evaluation is always worth it.
Gum Therapy Financing
Cost should never be a barrier to treating gum disease. We offer multiple ways to make your care affordable.
Cherry Financing
0% interest financing available for 6, 12, 18, or 24 months. Quick online application with instant approval decisions.
Apply with CherryCareCredit
The leading healthcare credit card, accepted at thousands of practices. Use it for gum therapy, implants, and any other treatment.
Apply for CareCreditVIP Membership Plan
No insurance? No problem. Our in-house membership plan gives you 30% off all treatment, including gum therapy and maintenance visits.
View Membership PlansSubject to credit approval. Terms and conditions apply. Membership plan is not insurance. Plan is non-refundable. CareCredit is a registered trademark of Synchrony Bank.
Gum Therapy FAQs
Straight answers to the questions patients ask most before beginning periodontal treatment.
Non-surgical scaling and root planing is performed under local anesthesia, so the procedure itself involves minimal to no discomfort. Some patients experience mild sensitivity for a few days afterward, which resolves quickly. For surgical procedures, Dr. Miles uses local anesthesia and offers sedation options to ensure you remain comfortable throughout.
Scaling and root planing is typically performed over two appointments, treating one half of the mouth per session. A re-evaluation is scheduled 4 to 6 weeks later to assess healing and determine whether surgical treatment is needed. Surgical procedures are scheduled as separate appointments. After active treatment concludes, patients move into a maintenance schedule of visits every 3 to 4 months.
Gingivitis — the earliest stage — is fully reversible. Once gum disease has progressed to periodontitis, the bone loss that has occurred cannot be restored to its original level in most cases (though bone grafting can help). However, periodontitis can be successfully controlled and stabilized with treatment and ongoing maintenance so that no further bone loss occurs and teeth are preserved for life. The key is early intervention and commitment to maintenance.
Most dental insurance plans provide coverage for scaling and root planing, as it is classified as a medically necessary periodontal procedure rather than a cosmetic one. The extent of coverage varies by plan. Our team will verify your benefits prior to treatment and provide a clear estimate of your out-of-pocket cost. For any remaining balance, Cherry Financing and CareCredit are both available.
Without treatment, gum disease progresses. Bone loss deepens, teeth loosen, and ultimately teeth are lost. Beyond the mouth, untreated periodontal disease has been linked to significantly elevated cardiovascular risk, harder-to-control blood sugar in diabetic patients, adverse pregnancy outcomes, and increased risk of respiratory infections. Early treatment is far less invasive and far less expensive than managing advanced disease or replacing lost teeth.
A gum graft is a procedure to restore gum tissue that has receded away from the tooth root. When roots are exposed, they are vulnerable to sensitivity, root decay, and continued recession. Dr. Miles takes a small amount of tissue — typically from the palate — and places it over the exposed root area. The result is restored gum coverage, reduced sensitivity, and protection against further recession. Grafting is also used to thicken thin gum tissue before it has a chance to recede further.
A cavity is decay within the tooth structure itself, caused by acid-producing bacteria. Gum disease is an infection of the supporting structures around the tooth — the gums, periodontal ligament, and bone. Both involve bacteria but affect different tissues and require different treatments. It is possible and common to have both conditions simultaneously, which is why comprehensive evaluation matters.
Yes. Troy Periodontics serves patients from throughout the Capital Region including Albany, Colonie, Clifton Park, Cohoes, Latham, Schenectady, Watervliet, Saratoga Springs, and surrounding communities. We are located at 500 Federal St, Suite 300, Troy, NY 12180 and accept new patients calling from any area of the region.
Ready to Stop
Gum Disease in Its Tracks?
Schedule a periodontal evaluation with Dr. Mahogany Miles. Early treatment saves teeth. No referral needed — call or book online today.
500 Federal St, Suite 300, Troy, NY • Mon–Thu 8am–5pm