Gum disease is common: about 4 in 10 U.S. adults 30 and older had periodontitis in 2009 to 2014, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, yet many people do not know they have it until it has progressed. At Club K Holistic Dental in Springfield, Missouri, Dr. Joshua Knapton treats gum disease with a holistic protocol that combines professional periodontal care with a biological approach to dentistry, as part of our preventive dentistry services.
Our gum disease treatment uses ozone therapy alongside scaling and root planing when it is needed. Ozonated water irrigation may help reduce the bacteria associated with periodontal disease without relying on harsh chemicals, and thorough professional cleaning removes the buildup that feeds the infection. This approach is designed to lower the inflammatory burden on your body while addressing the infection directly.
Experience comprehensive dental care that considers your overall health and wellness with natural treatment approaches.
Gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, is an infection of the tissues that surround and support your teeth. It begins as gingivitis, a mild inflammation of the gums caused by bacterial buildup along the gum line. During this stage, your gums may become red, swollen, and bleed easily when brushing or flossing. The CDC notes that gingivitis is largely preventable and treatable with routine oral hygiene and professional cleanings.
When left untreated, gingivitis can advance to periodontitis, which also involves bone loss around the teeth. Pockets form between the gums and teeth, collect debris, and become infected. Dentists measure these pockets with a small probe, and according to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, pockets in a healthy mouth are usually between 1 and 3 millimeters deep. Periodontitis cannot be reversed, but the CDC says it can be slowed down and managed with professional treatment. Periodontitis and cavities are the two leading causes of tooth loss.
Gum disease is also connected to whole-body health. The CDC notes that untreated periodontitis can make other chronic conditions, such as diabetes, worse, and that diabetes, smoking, stress, and hormonal changes are among the factors associated with gum disease. At our holistic dental practice, we recognize these connections and approach gum disease treatment with your entire health picture in mind.
Holistic gum disease treatment using ozone therapy and biological protocols.
Many people have periodontal disease and do not know it because the condition is often painless in its early stages, and the CDC notes it can become serious before a person notices symptoms. Regular dental check-ups are essential for early detection and treatment. Common warning signs include gums that bleed during and after tooth brushing, red, swollen, or tender gums, persistent bad breath or a bad taste in the mouth, receding gums where teeth appear longer than normal, deep pockets between teeth and gums, loose or shifting teeth, and changes in the way teeth fit together when biting. If you notice any of these symptoms, schedule an appointment as soon as possible. Early intervention helps prevent more serious damage to your gums and teeth.
Poor oral hygiene is the primary cause of periodontal disease, but other factors can increase your risk, including smoking, hormonal changes, certain medications, genetics, and systemic diseases like diabetes.
At Club K Holistic Dental, our treatment protocols are built around your body’s natural healing capacity and the goal of controlling the bacterial infection behind your gum disease.
One part of our protocol is ozone therapy. Dr. Knapton is certified in dental ozone therapy and uses ozone gas and ozonated water to help reduce bacteria in infected areas while supporting healing. Ozone is delivered directly to the affected gum pockets alongside professional cleaning, and many patients find the treatment comfortable.
Ozone therapy is one tool within a broader plan, and it does not replace professional cleaning below the gum line when that is needed. Dr. Knapton will explain how it fits into your treatment.
Our approach emphasizes biocompatible materials that work in balance with your body. When restorative work is needed alongside gum disease treatment, we favor ceramic and other biocompatible materials, and we discuss material options with patients who have sensitivities.
Our gum disease treatment protocol addresses the condition at every stage, from early gingivitis to advanced periodontitis. We begin with a thorough assessment of your gum health, examining not only the visible symptoms but also the underlying factors that may be contributing to the problem. We use digital imaging to look for early signs of bone loss and ultrasonic scalers for comfortable, effective cleaning.
For many patients, non-surgical care can help halt the progression of gum disease. Our non-surgical treatments include scaling and root planing (periotherapy) using ultrasonic technology to remove plaque and tartar from below the gumline and smooth the tooth roots so gums can reattach, ozone irrigation to help reduce bacteria and support healing, nutritional counseling to support gum health, at-home care protocols, and allergy elimination therapy for patients whose food or environmental sensitivities may be contributing to inflammation. Dr. Knapton’s training in allergy elimination techniques allows us to explore sensitivities that may be contributing to chronic inflammation, which is why we include it as an option.
Advanced periodontitis can require surgical treatment, such as flap surgery to clean deep pockets or bone and tissue grafts to rebuild lost structure. If your evaluation shows you may need that level of care, Dr. Knapton can talk with you about your options, which may include coordination with a periodontist. Whatever your treatment plan, ongoing maintenance visits are an important part of keeping gum disease under control.
Periodontal assessment: pocket depth measurements, bleeding index, and bone level review via X-ray
Ozone periodontal therapy: ozonated water or gas applied to gum pockets to help reduce bacteria
Scaling & root planing (periotherapy): removal of calculus below the gumline if needed
Biocompatible irrigation: ozone gas and ozone water applied after scaling (not a generic rinse)
Nutritional guidance: dietary recommendations to support gum tissue healing and immune response
Maintenance scheduling: customized periodontal maintenance intervals, typically every 3 to 4 months
Service / Item | Price |
Periodontal assessment / evaluation | $80 – $120 |
Ozone periodontal therapy (per quadrant) | $211 + one-time lab fee of $345 |
Scaling & root planing (1–3 teeth per quadrant) | $247 per quad |
Scaling & root planing (4+ teeth per quadrant) | $332 per quad |
Periodontal maintenance (ongoing, per visit) | $188 |
The one-time lab fee of $345 for ozone periodontal therapy applies to your first treatment — confirm at scheduling.
Financing is available through Sunbit and Cherry Pay
While we treat existing gum disease, our primary focus remains prevention. Regular dental cleanings and exams are essential for catching problems early when they are most treatable. During your routine cleanings, we use fluoride-free and dye-free products that align with our holistic philosophy.
Our preventive approach includes education about proper oral hygiene techniques, brushing twice daily with hydroxyapatite toothpaste, cleaning between teeth daily with floss or an interdental cleaner, using an antimicrobial fluoride-free mouth rinse to reduce bacteria, eating a balanced diet and limiting sugary snacks and beverages, avoiding tobacco products, and attending regular professional cleanings and check-ups. We also provide dietary recommendations that support gum health and identify risk factors unique to each patient. Because gum disease can be influenced by overall health, we may recommend working with other healthcare providers as part of your comprehensive treatment plan.
Periotherapy is how we describe scaling and root planing, the removal of calculus and bacterial deposits from below the gumline, combined with ozone irrigation at Club K Holistic Dental. It goes beyond a standard cleaning, which addresses plaque and tartar above the gumline.
Ozone gas and ozonated water are applied directly to infected gum pockets as part of our protocol. Ozone has antimicrobial properties and may help reduce the bacteria associated with periodontal disease without harsh chemicals or antibiotics, and it is used alongside professional cleaning, not instead of it.
Gingivitis, the earliest stage of gum disease, is reversible with proper treatment and improved oral hygiene. According to the CDC, periodontitis cannot be reversed, but it can be slowed down and managed with professional treatment and consistent maintenance visits.
Most patients with a history of periodontal disease benefit from maintenance visits every 3 to 4 months rather than the standard 6-month interval. This schedule allows us to monitor pocket depths, remove bacterial buildup before it progresses, and support your long-term gum health.
Our approach emphasizes ozone therapy as the primary antimicrobial intervention rather than routine antibiotics. Dr. Knapton will talk with you about what is appropriate for your situation, and nutritional counseling and allergy elimination therapy are also available to address factors that may contribute to periodontal inflammation.
Club K Holistic Dental is a fee-for-service, out-of-network practice. Periodontal treatment may qualify for partial reimbursement through your plan’s out-of-network benefits. We submit documentation on your behalf and offer financing through Sunbit and Cherry Pay.
At Club K Holistic Dental, gum disease treatment is not just about reducing bacteria. It is about supporting your oral microbiome and addressing the inflammation that periodontal disease can contribute to throughout your body. Dr. Knapton holds a dual DMD and MBA from Roseman University of Health Sciences and is an active member of the IAOMT and the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD), and his biological dental training informs a gum disease protocol that supports your whole-body health.
We are a fee-for-service practice and are out of network with all insurers, though our team can submit documentation for potential out-of-network reimbursement. Financing is available through Sunbit and Cherry Pay. Contact our office to schedule your periodontal evaluation in Springfield, Missouri.
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