Richard B. Chaffee Jr., D.D.S., Periodontist

GUMS Periodontal Disinfection Center is entirely devoted to the non-surgical treatment
of periodontal disease.  There has been much controversy in the periodontal community
regarding the need for periodontal surgery in the treatment of periodontitis (gum disease).
  The results of long-term studies first began to appear in the early 1970s which questioned
the benefits of surgical over non-surgical periodontal treatment, and in the 1989 World
Workshop in Clinical Periodontics the following statement was made (page IX – 9):

“There is little evidence to suggest, from these longitudinal tooth-loss studies, that
over time surgical therapy is superior to non-surgical therapy in retention of teeth.”

If this statement is true, why are so many periodontists still recommending surgery for
their periodontal patients? We at GUMS are trying to provide a refuge for people who
have been told they must undergo periodontal surgery to save their teeth. The vast majority
of periodontal disease can be effectively treated with well-done simple & relatively inexpensive
non-surgical methods. Have you been told you need periodontal surgery? Get a second
opinion. "In the multitude of counselors there is safety"! (Proverbs 11:14)

GUMS Periodontal Disinfection Center