What is Periodontology?
Periodontology is also known as treatment of gum diseases; this discipline deals with diseases of support tissues (gum, jawbone, tissues that attach the tooth to the bone an nearby tooth surface) that keep the tooth in place. Although gum disease is common in our population, it is an insidious disease with very little knowledge about effects, results and treatment.
How should healthy gum appear?
Healthy gums, appearing slightly rough like orange peel, are pink in color and create a smooth line on the tooth. Healthy gums do not bleed when brushing or eating.
How does a gum disease develop?
Periodontal diseases start with gingivitis. In other words, gingivitis is early period of periodontal disease. In this period, the gums are hemorrhagic, red and enlarged in volume. It may not cause much inconvenience in the early period. However, it can progress to periodontitis and cause an irreversible damage in gums and alveolar bone that supports the teeth.
Periodontitis is the advanced stage of periodontal diseases. Alveolar bone and tissues that support teeth are damaged. “Periodontal pocket” between the tooth and the gum facilitates the onset of infection and progression of the disease. Teeth get loosen or even extraction may be required when the disease progresses.
What are Symptoms of Gingival Disease?
•Bleeding
•Swelling and redness on the gums,
•Gingival recession and tenderness on the surface of the root,
•Black areas seen on margins of gums or between teeth, due to tartars,
•Inflammation located between tooth and gum,
•The loosened teeth, extensions, displacement,
•Persistent bad breath and bad taste in mouth.
What is cause of gingival disease?
The major underlying factor of gingival disease is “bacterial plaque” – a sticky and colorless film that accumulates on teeth. When teeth are not properly cleaned, food residues on or between them facilitate bacterial growth. Dental plaque stiffens, if it is left untouched, and deposits develop, which are also called as tartar.
Toxins released by bacteria in dental plaque destruct eye gum. Toxins destruct the supportive tissues around the gums and thus, more bacterial plaque accumulate in periodontal pockets. When periodontal disease progresses, the pockets further deepens. Bacterial plaque attach to exposed roots of teeth. Thus, the osseous support of teeth is lost. Teeth start loosening, if left untreated, and ultimately, tooth/teeth is/are lost.
What are treatment options for gingival diseases?
Non-surgical periodontal treatment (curettage of gums/flattening the root surface) in early stage of gum disease involves removal of plaques and tartar from teeth and creating a smooth root surface. This procedure eliminates bacteria and other irritants that cause inflammation of gums. This treatment is usually sufficient for adapting gums to teeth and eliminating the pocket due to shrinkage of the gum.
Periodontal surgery (flap surgery) can be required in advanced cases. The purpose of this treatment is to remove tartar and debride inflammatory tissues that are located in deep periodontal pockets, which surround the teeth, and to shrink and eliminate the pocket and create an easily cleanable gingival form by creating a smooth root surface.
After periodontal treatment is completed, patient should be regularly examined by dentist (quarterly or semi-annually), plaques must be checked and new tartar depositions must be removed.