PERIODONTICS
Periodontal dentistry encompasses the prevention, detection, and treatment of periodontal disease. Periodontal disease occurs when plaque turns into tartar that is not treated and thus begins to attack the gums and bone. Periodontal disease symptoms include bleeding gums, loose teeth, spacing issues, bad breath, receding gums, and discomfort. Types of periodontal disease include chronic periodontitis, aggressive periodontitis, necrotizing periodontitis, and periodontitis caused by systemic disease.
If left untreated periodontal disease may lead to a stroke, bacterial pneumonia, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and increased risk during pregnancy. It has been found that smoking also increases the chances of periodontal disease.
Periodontal Disease Treatments
There are various surgical and nonsurgical periodontal disease treatments. Treatment may vary based on the severity of the patient’s condition and the dentist’s expertise. The dentist will perform a complete periodontal treatment to determine the right treatment for the patient.
Periodontal Disease Treatments Include:
- Scaling and root planing –This treatment is performed to remove the bacteria and calculus that has built up around the gums.
- Tissue regeneration – Tissue regeneration can be used to replace destroyed bone and gum tissues caused by periodontal disease.
- Pocket elimination surgery – This surgical treatment can be performed to reduce the pocket size between the teeth and gums to eliminate areas where periodontal disease can arise
- Dental implants – Dental implants can replace lost teeth due to periodontal disease.