Although you may brush and floss daily, you can still be susceptible to gum disease due to genetics or other factors. But that does not mean you are out of options. With early detection, you can prevent gum disease from becoming more serious. Even advanced gum disease can be treated to reduce pain and improve gum health.
Working with a periodontist with specialized training in gum disease treatment can help you find the best solution for your situation. As a periodontist, Dr. Ryan Clagett of Clagett Periodontics provides the care you need in Louisville. Stop ignoring the symptoms of gum disease and get the treatment you need for better oral health.
Our Approach to Your Care
Many people are embarrassed about having gum disease or not seeking treatment sooner. Dr. Ryan Clagett does not judge or shame his patients – he wants you to get the care you need to eliminate infection, protect your teeth, and maintain a healthy, beautiful smile. Upon examining your teeth and listening to your concerns, he will review your options for gum disease treatment and partner with you to create an appropriate course of action. Dr. Clagett helps you understand why your gum disease developed, how to treat it, and ways to be proactive in preventing future problems.
Come See Ryan
Leveraging years of training and a wealth of experience, Dr. Ryan Clagett presents patients with both non-surgical and surgical options for safely treating gum disease and preventing continued infection. From scaling and root planing to laser or traditional gum surgery, he collaborates with you to determine which procedures you are a good candidate for and explains how each process works. Dr. Clagett strives to make you feel as comfortable as possible with treatment decisions and makes sure you are informed on how to enhance your oral health.
Dr. Clagett’s Approach to Gum Disease
Gum disease is a bacterial infection that affects the tissue and bone around your teeth. As the infection worsens, you may experience a range of symptoms that include:
- Bad breath.
- Pus and oozing.
- Spaces between your teeth.
- Teeth that are loose or that fall out completely.
Your biology can affect how and where the infection takes place, and the way that the disease presents itself can be specific to a certain side of your mouth, a section of your mouth, and an individual tooth. For this reason, Dr. Clagett uses a personalized approach to treating his patients in Louisville. By spending a lot of time in consultation, performing a comprehensive examination, and using the latest diagnostic tools and periodontal techniques, Dr. Clagett can eliminate gum disease in the least invasive way possible.
There is Hope
You could be feeling embarrassed about the status of your mouth, and many patients have felt that way at some point. However, there is nothing to fear or be ashamed of at Clagett Periodontics. You didn’t choose to get gum disease, but by visiting a periodontist for gum disease treatment, you are choosing to improve your health and rebuild your smile. Dr. Clagett and our team understand both ends of that journey, and we respect and take good care of our patients throughout this process.
Dr. Clagett is here to solve your gum disease in Louisville. He is here to find the recommended solution for you so that you can get the natural smile you want.
We have helped thousands of patients. We can help you too.
What to Expect in Your Consultation
Start by scheduling an appointment with our practice in Louisville. When you come for your visit, we’ll show you around the office and introduce you to the people who will be providing your care. Then, you’ll meet with Dr. Clagett to discuss your symptoms, ask questions, and talk about any concerns you may have. During your appointment:
- Dr. Clagett will assess the severity of your symptoms, including the damage your gums, teeth, and supporting bone may have sustained.
- You and Dr. Clagett will talk about your priorities with gum disease treatment. Knowing your concerns will allow Dr. Clagett to align his approach with your needs.
- Dr. Clagett will explore some of the potential causes of your condition. Gum disease is linked to a few different health issues, such as heart disease, diabetes, and hormonal imbalance. Getting to the root of these problems sometimes helps patients discover underlying medical problems.
Dr. Clagett will review your options for treating gum disease and discuss the advantages of each. One of his goals is for patients to choose their care with confidence, so he will encourage you to ask questions about any aspect of your consultation.

Gum Disease Treatment Options
Dr. Clagett is highly trained in both non-surgical and surgical gum disease treatments. During your consultation, he will present you with the least invasive approach that is most likely to resolve your gum disease. Solutions for our patients generally fall into two categories: scaling/root planing and surgery. Regardless of the option you choose, Dr. Clagett is dedicated to your comfort and safety to give you a quality experience.
Scaling and Root Planing
When gum disease progresses beyond a certain stage, brushing, flossing, and even regular dental cleanings are not capable of reaching all of the disease-causing bacteria. Scaling and root planing is a non-surgical gum disease treatment that can get to the bacteria that has developed beneath the gums.
During the scaling and root planing procedure:
- Dr. Clagett will numb the teeth on one side of your mouth. Typically, he will reserve the other side for gum disease treatment in a second appointment.
- He will use specialized tools to clear away the disease-causing bacteria.
- Dr. Clagett will smooth the root surfaces of the teeth to prevent infection in the future.
The procedure will generally last one hour, and most of our Kentucky patients are able to go right back to work afterward. (The recovery is similar to what you can expect after a tooth filling.) Three months following the procedure, you’ll return to our office, where Dr. Clagett can check your results and determine if you will benefit from further gum disease treatment.
Surgery
Our practice website includes a more detailed explanation of surgery for gum disease. Some of the highlights of this gum disease treatment option follow.
- While patients may present different levels of complexity, the surgery is generally so mild that people don’t require sedation.
- Dr. Clagett typically uses laser technology to remove bacteria from beneath the gums, but in some rare cases, patients will benefit from traditional surgical techniques.
- As a result of gum disease treatment, most of our Kentucky patients say that their teeth feel stronger and healthier than before.
After surgery to treat gum disease, Dr. Clagett will generally recommend that you follow a soft diet and avoid chewing in the affected area for a few weeks. You will return for teeth cleaning every three months and come back for reevaluation one year following the procedure.
One Step to a Better Quality of Life
Living with the symptoms of gum disease is almost certainly more uncomfortable than any gum disease treatment Dr. Clagett will provide. His gentle technique means that you can get the care you need — and protect your smile for years to come — without pain or worry.
As you consider your options, we encourage you to get in touch with Clagett Periodontics. Ask questions, talk to us about our work, and come to see us to learn more. We look forward to helping you feel better and smile more confidently.
If you’ve experienced damage to your teeth and underlying bone, hygienic problems, or aesthetic concerns related to gum disease, we encourage you to schedule a gum disease treatment consultation at our Louisville location. Contact Clagett Periodontics online or by phone for an appointment at (270) 982-7377.
Nervous about having surgery or just don’t want to remember any of it? We offer IV sedation for our patients. IV sedation is a safe, easy way to let you get the dental work you need while you sleep. Dr. Clagett has received extensive training on IV sedation, and we have the most up to date technology to ensure your health. For more complex medical cases, we also partner with a Certified Nurse Anesthetist, to help Dr. Clagett maintain your health while he performs your dental work.