Periodontology

Periodontology or the prevention and treatment of periodontitis

One of the most frequent diseases affecting the gums and tissue surrounding the teeth is periodontitis (commonly known as paradentosis). It is the second most common oral cavity disease after dental caries. If not treated in a timely manner, periodontitis may lead to premature tooth loss.

With a view to the fact that the causes of periodontitis are usually known, it can be combated quite effectively. Our dentists are highly successful in treating periodontitis with the aid of state-of-the-art dental procedures and subject to effective cooperation on the part of the patient.

Periodontitis Symptoms

Periodontology

Periodontology or the prevention and treatment of periodontitis

One of the most frequent diseases affecting the gums and tissue surrounding the teeth is periodontitis (commonly known as paradentosis). It is the second most common oral cavity disease after dental caries. If not treated in a timely manner, periodontitis may lead to premature tooth loss.

With a view to the fact that the causes of periodontitis are usually known, it can be combated quite effectively. Our dentists are highly successful in treating periodontitis with the aid of state-of-the-art dental procedures and subject to effective cooperation on the part of the patient.

Periodontitis Symptoms

The symptoms of periodontitis often include bad breath (halitosis), as well as receding, swelling or bleeding gums and exposed or loose teeth. Many people mistakenly believe that occasional bleeding from the gums during tooth brushing is normal. However, healthy gums do not bleed and bleeding is a manifestation of an inflammation. The gums of smokers, on the other hand, never bleed and thus, the disease may progress without any external symptoms for a long period of time.

Many consider periodontitis as a hereditary disease passed on from their parents. That is a common mistake because its causes are completely different. In most cases, it is the consequence of poor dental care.

The early diagnosis of periodontitis is possible by measuring periodontal pockets (i.e. the space between the gum and the tooth) with the aid of a periodontal probe.

When the above symptoms are detected, a comprehensive dental examination should be carried out and recommended treatment should be initiated if a gum disease is diagnosed.

Causes of Periodontitis

The main causes of periodontitis are poor tooth brushing techniques along with insufficient dental hygiene. As a result, dental plaque accumulates in the area of the gums and triggers inflammations. Periodontitis is a disease affecting the gums and the bones holding the teeth. The affected gum deflects from the tooth and in the newly formed space, bacteria and plaque subsequently accumulate and emit an unpleasant smell.

The disease may be divided into four stages. The first stage is known as gingivitis. Its primary manifestation is frequent bleeding from the gums during tooth brushing. The second, third, and fourth stage are initial, medium and advanced phases of periodontitis. The infection has already damaged or destroyed the bone and this may result in tooth loss. The treatment involves two basic therapeutic methods.

Prevention Methods

At present, there are effective methods of preventing periodontitis. Insufficient prevention and the subsequent damage to the teeth as a result of periodontitis is irreversible in most cases. Even if prophylactic procedures are quite simple, painless and take only a few minutes, most people neglect them. Our dental hygienist will recommend the best prevention methods.

Treatment Methods

In general, there are two methods of treating periodontitis: conservative and surgical. The main objective of both these methods is to eliminate the causes of inflammation in order to prevent tooth loss.

Conservative Method

In early stages of periodontitis, our dental specialists upon agreement with the client standardly choose the conservative method. It is gentle and highly effective in treating the initial stages of the disease. In more advanced stages, it serves as a complementary aid to the surgical method. Conservative treatment primarily involves the removal of calculus and plaque either manually or in combination with ultrasound. Concurrently, the client is instructed on the proper oral hygiene routines.

Surgical Method

If the calculus and plaque sediments cannot be removed by the dentist with the aid of the conservative method, the surgical method is selected. As the procedure is performed under local anaesthesia, it allows the dentist to reach areas otherwise inaccessible to the conservative method. The main objective is once again to eliminate the causes of inflammation and to prevent the loss of damaged teeth. The surgical procedure is performed in cooperation with an expert periodontologist.