Did you know that more adults loose teeth due to periodontal disease that they do to tooth decay? Periodontal disease is a chronic inflammatory process of the gum tissue, bone and ligaments that surround the teeth. Millions of Americans have evidence of periodontal disease, leading to inflamed gum tissue, bone loss around the teeth and eventually the loss of the teeth. The good news is that affordable treatment is available to assist in bringing the tissues back to health and controlling the life long disease. You may have periodontal disease without noticing any symptoms. There are three main stages to the disease. Early detection and treatment can help periodontal disease from progressing. Gingivitis: Bacteria and plaque have caused the gums to become inflamed and bleed easily. Plaque gets in the space between the gums and the tooth, causing the tissue to swell and remain irritated. Good home care and a professional cleaning on a regular basis are normally enough to restore the healthy gums. Often medications or systemic disease can lead to gingivitis as well. This why it is so important to report any changes in your medications or to your health to your dental team so that your condition can be properly evaluated.
Periodontitis: High levels of bacteria initiate a release of tissue destroying enzymes. These enzymes start a process that results in deeper pockets and bone loss. Re-treatment is aimed at stopping further damage and reversing the progress of the disease. Advanced Periodontitis: Bacteria and enzymes have caused surrounding tissue and bone to degrade further. At this stage, tooth loss is possible. It is critical to avoid this outcome.
Adult Periodontal Treatments: With regular professional dental cleanings and proper home care, periodontal disease can be diagnosed early and treated.
Treatment includes scaling and root planing, enzyme suppression, antibacterial therapy, and sometimes surgery. For the best results, you may have a combination of these treatments Scaling and Root Planing: This is a special type of professional service provided under local anesthesia, by a dentist or dental hygienist. It is usually done in several appointments. The procedure is designed to meticulously remove plaque and calculus (tartar) and toxins imbedded in the root surfaces as well as the diseased root surface. The roots are smoothed to a glass like finish making it more difficult for plaque to attach in the future.
Enzyme Suppression: Suppression therapy is performed in conjunction with scaling and root planing, and includes oral medication that helps stop enzymes from attacking the gums and the surrounding bone.
Antibiotic Therapy: This treatment includes oral medication, topically applied antibiotics and rinses that can help fight the bacteria that caused periodontal disease. Surgery: Surgical treatment is used in the most advanced cases of periodontal disease. Surgery may be done on the soft tissue, the bone or on the roots of the teeth. The purpose of the surgery is to either correct defects or to make the area more cleansable for the patient . Thus reducing the bacteria in the effected area.
Antibiotic Therapy: This treatment includes oral medication, topically applied antibiotics and rinses that can help fight the bacteria that caused periodontal disease. Surgery: Surgical treatment is used in the most advanced cases of periodontal disease. Surgery may be done on the soft tissue, the bone or on the roots of the teeth. The purpose of the surgery is to either correct defects or to make the area more cleansable for the patient . Thus reducing the bacteria in the effected area.
On-Going Periodontal Therapy: Following the initial periodontal treatment, it is most important that the patient receives a periodontal maintenance procedure from a dental hygienist every 12 –16 weeks. This procedure replaces the standard dental cleaning, with a more thorough session of periodontal scaling, and spot root planing where needed. Because periodontal disease is a chronic disease that can not be cured, the periodontal maintenance procedure will be necessary 3-4 times a year for the rest of the patients life. Timely on-going periodontal therapy and good oral home care are the only possible way of controlling this disease and preventing future tooth loss.