Advanced Periodontal Treatments

At The Mugford Center

Healthy Gums. Stronger Smile. Better Health.

At The Mugford Center for Periodontics & Dental Implants, we specialize in restoring and maintaining the health of your gums, the foundation of a lasting, confident smile. Led by Dr. David Mugford and Dr. John Bruce, our expert team provides advanced periodontal treatments that not only address gum disease, but also support your overall wellness.

Using state-of-the-art tools like LANAP® laser therapy and microsurgical techniques, we treat gum disease with precision, comfort, and minimal downtime right here in our modern Crofton, MD clinic.

Don’t ignore the signs your gums are speaking.

Gum disease (also known as periodontal disease) is a silent, progressive infection that affects the tissues supporting your teeth. It is the main reason for tooth loss. It’s caused by harmful bacteria that accumulate along the gum line and if left untreated, it can lead to inflammation, bone loss, and eventually, tooth loss. In addition, the bacteria in the gums can spread to all other parts of the body and can cause heart attacks, strokes, cancer, and Alzheimer’s disease.

Gum disease can affect anyone but certain risk factors such as smoking, diabetes, stress, and hormonal changes (like pregnancy or menopause) can increase your risk.

Common signs of gum disease include:

Bleeding gums when brushing or flossing
Red, swollen, or tender gums
Persistent bad breath or bad taste
Receding gums or “long” teeth
Loose or shifting teeth
Changes in your bite or fit of dentures

Gingivitis: The Early Warning Sign

Gingivitis is the earliest stage of gum disease and the most reversible. It causes redness, swelling, and bleeding of the gums. Fortunately, with a professional cleaning and good home care, gingivitis can often be eliminated before it progresses further.

Advanced Gum Disease is Called Periodontitis

Periodontitis: The Advanced Stage

When gingivitis is left untreated, it can develop into periodontitis, a more serious form of gum disease that leads to irreversible damage. As the gums pull away from the teeth, deep pockets form, trapping bacteria and allowing the infection to spread.

Without intervention, this condition can lead to:

Loss of bone supporting the teeth
Increased tooth mobility
Gum recession
Chronic inflammation in the body

Aggressive periodontitis can cause rapid tissue destruction even in otherwise healthy individuals. The good news? With early intervention, we can slow or stop the disease and, in many cases, restore lost tissue with regenerative treatments.

Your Journey to Healthier Gums Starts Here

Whether you need deep cleaning, laser therapy, or advanced surgery, we’re here to help you take back control of your oral health with care that’s tailored to you.

Book your consultation at The Mugford Center today.

Because your gums deserve expert care and you deserve to feel confident in your smile.

What our patients say…

Though admittedly a bit nervous before having gum flap surgery (OK, a lot nervous!), Dr. Mugford and his staff were amazingly supportive before he began.

Yes, there was the usual noise from instruments, but he is remarkably skilled delivering the numbing agents (usually my least favorite part), but I had a book on CD to drown out most of the background noise. He did some laser therapy as well.

But I feel so so much better overall, it is hard to describe. Also, a huge shout out to Emily, Gwen and Sherri….3 of the best hygienists I have had clean my teeth. Their touch is almost like a whisper, their focus on thoroughness unmatched and their honest caring about your health and comfort makes dental visits pleasurable.

They do not get the recognition for the contribution to one’s oral health they make. Together they have formed a team of professionals who can deal with any dental issues in a way that alleviates most if not all of the stress people feel when going to the dentist.

Thank you, sir, for being so supportive and so thorough – and your office staff for just being there.

5 Star Google Review: Hank M

Scaling & Root Planing (Deep Cleaning)

At The Mugford Center

Stop gum disease in its tracks with gentle, effective treatment.

Scaling and root planing is a non-surgical deep cleaning procedure that removes plaque and hardened tartar from below the gum line. It also smooths the root surfaces to discourage future bacterial buildup and help the gums reattach to the teeth.

If you’ve been diagnosed with early to moderate gum disease, this is often the first step in restoring health and preventing the need for surgery. It’s safe, effective, and can make a significant difference in just one or two visits.

Periodontal Maintenance

Stay one step ahead of gum disease.

After your initial treatment, periodontal maintenance visits are essential to keep your gums healthy and disease-free. These appointments go beyond routine cleanings and include deep cleaning around the pockets, monitoring bone and gum health, and addressing any early signs of recurrence.

Typically scheduled every 3–4 months, this ongoing care helps:

Maintain healthy tissue
Prevent the return of harmful bacteria
Protect your investment in previous treatments
Keep your smile looking and feeling its best

Pocket Reduction Therapy

Pocket Depth Reduction Therapy is a dental treatment used to manage advanced periodontal (gum and bone) disease. In healthy gums, the tissue fits snugly around the teeth, but when gum disease and bone loss progresses, deep pockets can form between the teeth and gums. These pockets become breeding grounds for harmful bacteria, leading to further infection, more bone loss, and eventually tooth loss if left untreated.

The goal of pocket depth reduction therapy is to clean out these deep pockets and reduce their size, allowing the gum tissue to reattach more closely to the teeth. This can be done through a variety of methods, including scaling and root planing (deep cleaning), flap surgery, or laser treatment, depending on the severity of the gum disease. It is also possible to re-grow lost bone through advanced treatment such as growth factors, bone grafts and PRF (platelet-rich fibrin). By reducing pocket depth and eliminating infection, this therapy helps restore gum health, prevent further damage, and preserve your natural teeth as well as protect your overall health.

LANAP® Laser Therapy: Advanced, Minimally Invasive Treatment

No cutting. No sutures. Just healthy gums.

LANAP® is a breakthrough in gum disease treatment that uses laser technology to selectively remove diseased tissue while preserving healthy gums. It stimulates your body’s natural healing response helping regenerate lost bone and reattach gum tissue to your teeth.

Why patients love LANAP:

Minimally invasive (no scalpels or sutures)
Faster healing and little to no downtime
Less post-operative discomfort
Proven results in reversing the effects of gum disease

If you’ve been told you need traditional gum surgery, LANAP could be a better alternative. It’s gentle, effective, and ideal for patients seeking a modern, patient-friendly approach to periodontal care.

What our patients say…

Excellent work from Dr.Mugford and staff, always satisfied from teeth cleaning, surgeries and insurance help from Sumner. The staff is most helpful and welcoming. I have been going to Dr. Mugford for years and he is professional and caring!

5 Star Google Review: Francesca S