PERIODONTICS (GUM TREATMENT)
What is Periodontal
Disease?
Periodontal (Gum) Disease is a
“silent” disease – until their teeth become loose and fall
out, most people do not know they even have it, or how serious
it is. It is the #1 reason adults lose their teeth.
In fact, did you know that more than 75% of all adults have
gum disease? Recent Dental/Medical research has shown a direct
correlation to periodontal disease and systemic health. People
with periodontal disease have an increased risk of stroke,
heart attack, diabetic complications, and serious problems
with pregnancy.
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What are the Signs?
- Do your gums bleed when you brush,
floss or use a toothpick?
- Are your gums red, swollen and painful?
- Do you have pus coming from between
your gums and teeth if you push on your gums?
- Are your gums pulling away from your
teeth?
- Has there been a change in the way your
teeth come together when you bite or chew on food?
- Do your teeth look longer because of
receding gums?
- Are your teeth loose?
- Do you have bad breath?
- If you wear a partial denture, does it
still fit the same?
If any of these statements are true, then
you may have a problem with your gums. You may need more than just
a routine cleaning of your teeth to get your gums healthy again. A
thorough evaluation of your gums and your overall dental health
includes a comprehensive examination, a complete set of x-rays,
and periodontal probing. If there is bone loss and deep pocketing
you may need non-surgical periodontal or surgical periodontal
care.
Perio Disease Process
Beginning
Stages - Gingivitis
The adjacent photo depicts healthy
teeth, gums and bone. In healthy gums a periodontal probe
instrument should only go 1-3 mm (marks) into the gum. Regular
checkups with professional cleanings will help keep gum tissue
in good health.
Gingivitis is the early stage of periodontal disease. The gum tissues are
red and puffy, and there is plaque and tartar building up
around the teeth.
There is no bone loss, yet. The probe measures 3-5 mm into the
space between the teeth and gum. During this stage, gingivitis
can be reversed with proper treatment.
Advanced
Periodontitis
This is the most serious stage
of gum disease, since the infection has destroyed most of the
bone around the tooth. The plaque and tartar covers the tooth
well below the gum and on the roots.
The gums recede even further; the teeth become loose and can
shift causing your bite to change. If the pocket between the
tooth and the gum is more than 8 mm. you are at great risk of
losing your teeth.
With Periodontitis, the plaque and calculus spreads down the
root infecting the bone and the ligament holding the tooth
into the jaw.
This causes the gums and bone to recede away from the tooth.
The space between the tooth and the gum measures more than 5
mm and traps food and more plaque under the gum. With proper
treatment you can prevent further damage.
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Avoiding Periodontal
Disease
Maintaining good oral health is the key to
keeping your teeth for a lifetime. This includes regular visits to
the dental office for cleanings, x-rays and check ups. Cleanings
can be as infrequent as every six months, or as often as every
three or four months, depending upon the health of your gums, and
how quickly you develop tartar and stains on your teeth.
Remember that 75% of all adults have periodontal disease. Home
brushing and flossing are the building blocks to a lifetime of
healthy teeth and gums. Flossing removes food that might remain
between your teeth after you brush.
If the food is not removed, it can start decay, and if the food
gets trapped in your gum, it can cause gingivitis, or make your
existing gum disease worse. You should brush 2-3 times a day,
preferably after every meal and before you go to sleep.
Periodontal Treatment
Non-surgical periodontal treatment is
possible for the early and moderate stages of periodontal disease.
This treatment involves removing the plaque and calculus (tartar)
that has formed under the gum - in the area known as the pocket,
and smoothing the root surfaces.
Local anesthesia is typically used to assure comfort during
treatment. The area is then treated with medication such as
antibiotics or antibacterial agents.
With moderate to advanced Periodontitis, bone loss is present and
surgical periodontal treatment may be required. All patients that
undergo periodontal treatment, whether it is non-surgical or
surgical, need to have their teeth cleaned and their gums checked
on a regular basis. This will be as often as every three to four
months.
It is vitally important to do this to prevent further periodontal
problems. Periodontal disease is a chronic problem. Without
ongoing treatment, the infection and disease will recur, and each
time it does, more bone can be lost, until eventually the teeth
become loose and need to be removed.
The goal of non-surgical periodontal treatment is to bring the
gums back to good health by shrinking or eliminating the pockets
around the teeth that are the site of infection, without having to
have gum surgery.
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