What does Periodontics deal with?
Periodontics is the field of dentistry that deals with gum diseases, i.e inflammations of the tissues that surround the tooth. The diagnosis of the disease, called periodontitis, is a development of gingivitis established by the dentist and confirmed after careful clinical and radiographic examination.
Stages of Periodontitis
Periodontitis is an inflammatory disease of the tissues surrounding the teeth, which is caused by bacteria present in the mouth and is most often an evolutionary stage of gingivitis. The main cause of gingivitis is the dental plaque that forms around the teeth mainly as a result of poor oral hygiene. If this plaque is not removed at an early stage, it becomes a hard plaque due to the deposition of calcium salts in the saliva and at this stage can only be removed by the dentist. Gradually, the bacteria infect the gums and cause periodontitis.
Gingivitis
Gingivitis is the early stage of periodontal disease and is mainly due to poor oral hygiene. Symptoms of gingivitis are slightly swollen, red gums, bleeding gums and bad breath. As a disease, gingivitis is a condition that is easily treated and cured. However, if neglected by the patient, gingivitis can lead to serious problems, such as periodontitis.
Treatment of gingivitis
The treatment of gingivitis is the removal of the microbial plaque, which is achieved through the thorough cleaning of the teeth by the dentist. Usually about two cleanings are performed within two weeks and the results are permanent, as long as the patient adheres to a strict oral hygiene program.
Periodontitis
Periodontitis is usually caused by poor oral hygiene and is an evolutionary stage of neglected gingivitis. The essential difference from gingivitis is that in periodontitis there is permanent bone loss, so as a disease it is not completely cured but can be restrained. The clinical image of periodontitis is similar to that of gingivitis (red, swollen gums, bleeding, bad breath), but also presents more serious symptoms, such as increased mobility or movement of a teeth, periodontal abscesses, gaps between teeth, sensitivity to heat or cold.
Periodontitis affects, in addition to the gums, the periodontal tissues and the alveolar bone that surrounds the teeth. In particular, bacteria and their toxins penetrate deeper and infect the bone, which is gradually destroyed, the gums detach from the teeth and an empty space called a dental follicle is created.
Inside this dental follicle , the bacteria continue to multiply and the tartar expands, destroying the bone until the support is completely lost and the teeth fall out.
Treatment of periodontitis
Periodontal treatment is conservative and usually non invasive, except of course in advanced stages of periodontitis where surgical techniques are required. The goal of periodontal treatment in the early stages is to heal swollen gums and stop bleeding. In advanced stages of periodontitis the goal is to stop further bone destruction.
Stages of treatment of periodontitis
1. Conservative stage
With the application of local anesthesia, first the suprapubic and then the submucosal plaque deposits are removed through the use of ultrasound and scraping tools. This is done in order to control the inflammation of the periodontal tissues. The plaque not only attaches to the surface of the tooth but also penetrates under the gums and adheres to the surface of the tooth’s root, inside the cavity. Root scraping is a necessary step as it is the most effective way to remove both the plaque and a small layer of infected bone.
2. Laser application stage
The time phase during which the laser application will be made is selected by the dentist and can be performed either immediately after the conservative treatment or later. The use of laser is done is chosen to maximize antiseptic inside the follicle. Thus the inflammatory tissue is removed, the intraosseous lesions are healed, and so the chances of future recurrence are reduced.
3. Surgical stage
Surgical treatment is performed to repair the damage caused to the bone. However, even in severe cases of periodontitis, when laser use has preceded, surgical treatment is significantly limited.
The most effective treatment for both gingivitis and periodontitis is prevention! Periodic visits to the dentist for regular check-ups and cleaning are the number one treatment. Beyond that, daily, meticulous brushing of the teeth with a medium or soft toothbrush is required. Also brushing the tongue with back and forth movements (the surface of the tongue is home to many germs) and the use of floss to clean the interdental space are necessary tools for good oral hygiene.