Periodontal Care

Proudly serving Glenville, Scotia, Saratoga Springs, Ballston Spa, Ballston Lake, Round Lake, Clifton Park, and Niskayuna

Call (518) 444-3717

Support that goes deeper than your gums

At Lake Hill Dental Care, we take gum health seriously. Inflammation in the mouth affects more than just your teeth—it can also impact your heart, brain, and immune system. That’s why we treat gum disease with the same attention and care as any other chronic condition. If you’re feeling unsure or overwhelmed, you’re not alone. We’ll meet you where you are and build a plan that restores health without shame or pressure.

Gum care that protects your whole health

Inflammation control helps your body heal

Gum disease can worsen other health conditions. By treating inflammation in the mouth, you’re supporting your entire system.

Early care can help save your teeth

Treating gum disease now helps preserve bone, maintain stability, and avoid tooth loss later.

Treatment is designed for your comfort

We take steps to make care easier on your body and mind. Many patients tell us they feel relief after starting treatment, not fear.

Personalized care for a healthier foundation

Periodontal exams

We use a combination of gentle probing, digital imaging, and clinical assessment to evaluate gum health. You’ll receive a full breakdown of what we find, and we’ll explain how inflammation may be affecting your body. These exams help guide treatment without rushing into invasive procedures.

Scaling and root planing

This non-surgical therapy is designed to remove plaque and bacteria from deep pockets around the teeth. We numb the area gently and work in sections to keep appointments comfortable. Our tools and techniques are chosen to minimize discomfort and support healing.

Periodontal maintenance

Once your active infection is managed, we’ll help you maintain stability with targeted cleanings and regular monitoring. We personalize your recall schedule based on how your gums respond, your immune status, and your long-term goals.

Salivary testing and bacterial analysis

We may recommend a salivary DNA test or live microscopy slide to identify specific bacteria. This helps us understand the severity of your infection and track progress over time. These insights let us tailor care more effectively.

The periodontal care process

Previous
Next
1

A scalpel-free, preventive approach to gum disease

We take a minimally invasive, evidence-based approach to treating gum disease. Every patient begins with a full periodontal exam that includes charting, full-mouth radiographs to check for bone loss, and a complimentary bacterial microscopic analysis. If needed, we’ll also perform salivary testing to better understand your unique immune response. This comprehensive diagnostic phase allows us to tailor treatment and address the root cause of inflammation—without jumping straight to surgery.

2

Move into targeted therapy

Unlike traditional “scaling and root planing” alone, our approach is built as a fully integrated therapy protocol. This includes multi-visit scaling performed alongside laser therapy, full-mouth disinfection, and air polishing—timed and sequenced according to your bone levels and bacterial response. Each step is designed to reduce the bacterial load in your mouth, control inflammation, and support healing in a non-surgical way.

3

Stay stable with personalized maintenance

After your initial therapy, we continue to monitor your progress and adjust your care plan as needed. Maintenance may include ongoing bacterial monitoring, tailored recall intervals, and simple changes to your home care routine. Our goal is to keep your gums healthy long term, reduce the need for future interventions, and give you the tools to feel confident caring for your mouth between visits.

What we see changes how we treat

Dr. Johnstone shares how a personal shift toward health and longevity changed the way she practices dentistry. In this conversation, she explains how microscopy, bacterial testing, and a more human approach help patients understand inflammation, make informed decisions, and feel like partners in their care.

‍Sick Mouth

‍

Healthy Mouth

Frequently asked questions

Some patients notice bleeding when they brush or floss. Others feel soreness or swelling, or see recession along the gumline. In many cases, early gum disease doesn’t cause pain at all. That’s why routine exams and screenings are so important. We can catch inflammation early and help you treat it before it progresses.

Gum disease can be managed, and in many cases, early-stage inflammation can be reversed. If bone loss or pocketing has already occurred, the goal is to stabilize your condition and prevent further damage. With regular care and proper home hygiene, many patients see improvement and avoid more invasive procedures.

Not always. Scaling and root planing is often the first step when active infection is present, but it’s only one part of our broader approach to periodontal health. Once inflammation is under control, we shift into a personalized maintenance phase. This allows us to monitor your response closely and focus on keeping at-risk areas stable. When appropriate, we incorporate supportive therapies like laser treatment, full-mouth disinfection, and air polishing to reduce bacterial load and support healing. Over time, many patients are able to return to more typical hygiene visits, with care adjusted to fit their comfort and needs.

Have any further questions? Give us a call.
Call (518) 444-3717

Real patients. Real results.

Don’t take our word for it. See what patients have to say.

Previous
Previous

What an amazing team at Lake Hill Dental! I couldn’t be happier with the care I received. Everyone treated me with genuine care, concern, and respect - not just as a patient, but as a person. Highly recommended!

Kim Frustere

I have major dental anxiety and was really nervous about going in, but this office was incredibly kind and caring from start to finish. They weren’t judgmental at all and took the time to explain everything step by step, which really helped calm me down. They listened to my concerns and made sure I felt comfortable the whole time. With a long road of dental work ahead, I’m so glad I was referred here and I finally feel comfortable going to the dentist.

Chelsea Rees

I have been a patient at Lake Hill Dental for several years and am so pleased with the care provided by the Dentists and the staff. For starters, the office is modern and very welcoming which is greatly appreciated.

Over the years, I have been impressed with the thoughtful care given by Dr. Johnstone and Dr. Denning. Recently, I had two experiences with Dr. Denning where he demonstrated both patience and kindness despite a very busy schedule and patient load. He listened to my concerns and responded to them thoughtfully.

I highly recommend Lake Hill Dental!

Janet Evans

You deserve to
thrive

Call (518) 444-3717
Visit our practice

Our team answers voicemails within 24 hours