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Apex – Green Level: (919) 377-9797
Apex – Kelly Rd: 
(919) 335-4100
Brier Creek: (919) 626-9977

Cary Park: (919) 468-1777
Fuquay-Varina:
(919) 557-7799
Heritage Branch: (984) 401-9001

Morrisville: (919) 469-2122
Rolesville:(984) 401-9909
Wake Forest: (919) 554-9955

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Diagnosis

Diagnosis

Periodontal disease is diagnosed by your dentist or dental hygienist during a periodontal examination. This type of exam should always be part of your regular dental check-up.

A periodontal probe (small dental instrument) is gently used to measure the sulcus (pocket or space) between the tooth and the gums.  The depth of a healthy sulcus measures three millimeters or less and does not bleed.  The periodontal probe helps indicate if pockets are deeper than three millimeters.  As periodontal disease progresses, the pockets usually get deeper.

Your dentist or hygienist will use pocket depths, amount of bleeding, inflammation, tooth mobility, etc., to make a diagnosis that will fall into a category below:

Gingivitis

Gingivitis is the first stage of periodontal disease. Plaque and its toxin by-products irritate the gums, making them tender, inflamed, and likely to bleed.

Periodontitis

Plaque hardens into calculus (tartar). As calculus and plaque continue to build up, the gums begin to recede from the teeth. Deeper pockets form between the gums and teeth and become filled with bacteria and pus. The gums become very irritated, inflamed, and bleed easily. Slight to moderate bone loss may be present.

Advanced Periodontitis

The teeth lose more support as the gums, bone, and periodontal ligament continue to be destroyed. Unless treated, the affected teeth will become very loose and may be lost. Generalized moderate to severe bone loss may be present.

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Apex - Green Level - Hours:

Mon: 8:00am-5:00pm
Tue: 8:00am-5:00pm
Wed: 8:00am-6:00pm
Thu: 8:00am-5:00pm
Fri: 8:00am-3:00pm
Sat: 8:00am-1:00pm*
*Select Saturdays Only

Apex - Kelly Road - Hours:

Mon: 9:00am-7:00pm
Tue: 8:00am-7:00pm
Wed: 8:30am-5:00pm
Thu: 8:00am-5:00pm
Fri: 8:00am-3:00pm
Sat: 8:00am-1:00pm*
*Select Saturdays Only

Brier Creek - Hours:

Mon: 9:00am-7:00pm
Tue: 8:00am-7:00pm
Wed: 8:00am-5:00pm
Thu: 8:00am-5:00pm
Fri: 8:00am-3:00pm
Sat: 8:00am-1:00pm*
*Select Saturdays Only

Cary Park - Hours:

Mon: 8:00am-7:00pm
Tue: 8:00am-7:00pm
Wed: 8:00am-7:00pm
Thu: 8:00am-7:00pm
Fri: 8:00am-3:00pm
Sat: 8:00am-1:00pm*

 

*Select Saturdays Only

Fuquay-Varina - Hours:

Mon: 8:00am-7:00pm
Tue: 8:00am-7:00pm
Wed: 8:00am-6:00pm
Thu: 8:00am-7:00pm
Fri: 8:00am-3:00pm
Sat: 8:00am-1:00pm*

 

*Select Saturdays Only

Heritage Branch - Hours:

Mon: 8:00am-5:00pm
Tue: 8:00am-5:00pm
Wed: 8:00am-5:00pm
Thu: 8:00am-5:00pm
Fri: Closed
Sat: 9:00am-2:00pm*
*Select Saturdays Only

Morrisville - Hours:

Mon: 8:00am-7:00pm
Tue: 8:00am-7:00pm
Wed: 8:00am-7:00pm
Thu: 8:00am-7:00pm
Fri: 8:00am-3:00pm
Sat: 8:00am-1:00pm*
*Select Saturdays Only

Rolesville - Hours:

Mon: 8:00am-5:00pm
Tue: 9:00am-5:00pm
Wed: 8:00am-5:00pm
Thu: 8:00am-7:00pm
Fri: 8:00am-3:00pm
Sat: 9:00am-2:00pm*
*Select Saturdays Only

Wake Forest - Hours:

Mon: 8:00am-7:00pm
Tue: 9:00am-7:00pm
Wed: 8:00am-5:00pm
Thu: 8:00am-5:00pm
Fri: 8:00am-3:00pm
Sat: 9:00am-2:00pm*
*Select Saturdays Only