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Periodontology
What is Periodontology?
Periodontology is a branch of dentistry that deals with the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of periodontal tissue diseases. Periodontal tissues are the tissues that surround and support the teeth, including the gums, cementum, periodontal ligament, and alveolar bone.
Periodontal tissue diseases, such as gingivitis and periodontitis, are very common chronic inflammatory diseases caused by bacteria in dental plaque. Periodontitis, better known as periodontitis, is, among Europeans, the most frequent cause of tooth loss in adulthood.
How does periodontal disease develop?
In our oral cavity, a large quantity of bacteria is present, forming the normal bacterial flora. However, if teeth and interdental spaces are not cleaned thoroughly, the amount of bacteria increases excessively, causing the formation of dental plaque. Dental plaque (tartar), with a high number of bacteria, then leads to gum inflammation, and the latter to the formation of periodontal pockets. The larger the pocket, the lower the oxygen supply, which means the formation of anaerobic bacteria that secrete dangerous toxins. The toxins severely damage the gum, the tooth, and the bone support. Periodontal treatment, performed by a periodontist specialist, is essential.
How to recognize periodontal disease?
Very often, the earliest signs of periodontal disease are not immediately visible. However, once developed, the disease manifests with various recognizable symptoms, among which you might have noticed:
- Red, swollen, and bleeding gums: This is the first sign of gingivitis, an inflammation of the gums.
- Receding gums: In cases of periodontitis, the gums recede from the teeth, which can cause the formation of pockets between the teeth and gums.
- Bad breath: Bacteria present in dental plaque can cause unpleasant breath.
Tooth mobility: In advanced stages of periodontitis, loss of bone support for the teeth can occur, causing them to loosen and even fall out.
How does the treatment of periodontal diseases proceed?
At Feeldent practice, we offer comprehensive periodontal care that includes several steps.
Diagnostics
- Clinical Examination: The dentist will examine your periodontal tissues to assess their condition.
- Pocket Depth Measurement: The periodontist will use a special periodontal probe to measure the depth of the pockets between the teeth and gums, helping to assess the severity of the disease. Periodontal pockets are the ideal environment for the proliferation of pathogenic bacteria.
- X-rays: X-ray images will show any existing bone loss.
Non-Surgical Treatment
- Professional tooth cleaning: The dentist or dental hygienist will remove plaque and tartar, the main causes of periodontal tissue diseases. If the plaque is below the gum line, scaling and root planing will be performed under local anesthesia. This will remove the deposits and allow the gum to reattach to the tooth surface.
- Oral hygiene: We will teach you the correct techniques for brushing and flossing, so you can effectively remove plaque yourself.
- Antibiotics: In some cases, antibiotic treatment may be necessary to reduce the number of bacteria.
Surgical Treatment
In cases of advanced periodontitis, surgical treatment will be necessary. During the surgical procedure – flap operation – the gum is pulled back to allow better access to the diseased root. This allows for a more thorough cleaning of deposits and inflamed tissues. The goal of the operation is to reduce the depth of periodontal pockets, remove the cause of inflammation, and facilitate the maintenance of oral hygiene, thus preventing further progression of the disease and preserving the teeth. After surgical treatment, the dentist will use materials that stimulate the regeneration of periodontal tissues.
Frequently Asked Questions about Periodontology
What is the difference between gingivitis and periodontitis?
What is the difference between gingivitis and periodontitis? Gingivitis is an inflammation of the gums that is reversible with adequate oral hygiene and professional dental cleaning. Periodontitis is an advanced form of periodontal tissue disease that also affects other surrounding tissues and can lead to tooth loss.
Is periodontitis curable?
Periodontitis is not completely curable, but with adequate treatment and regular oral hygiene, it can be controlled and further loss of periodontal tissues can be prevented.
How can I prevent periodontal disease?
The best way to prevent periodontal tissue diseases is regular and correct oral hygiene of teeth and mucous membranes, which includes:
- Brushing teeth twice a day with a soft toothbrush.
- Using dental floss once a day.
- Regular visits to the dentist for professional tooth cleaning.
Can periodontitis affect my general health?
Yes, periodontitis is linked to numerous diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, respiratory illnesses, and pregnancy complications (premature birth). This is another reason why it is extremely important to visit the dentist promptly, who will determine how the treatment should proceed, or refer you to a periodontist.
What happens after periodontitis treatment?
After periodontitis treatment, it is important to maintain meticulous oral hygiene, regularly and according to instructions. You will maintain the health of your teeth and periodontal tissues with a healthy lifestyle and regular check-ups with the dentist.
Consult our price list for periodontal treatment and the other dental services we offer.
Dental services
Discover the dental services offered by the dental studio Feeldent. You can see the prices of the services in the price list.
Orthodontics
Dental crowns and bridges
Implantology
Parodontologija
Dental prosthetics
Endodontics
What our patients say about us
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Do you have further questions about periodontal treatment?
We will be happy to answer them. Write to us or call us
