Introduction
The teeth are covered by the strong support of the gums, periodontal fibers, and bones. Plaque and calculus accumulation under the gum line cause gum infections. This bacterial infection causes pain, bleeding gum, detachment of gingiva from the tooth, and tooth loss in severe cases.
What is periodontitis?
Periodontitis is an infection around the tooth-supporting tissue. This infection is persistent for a long time in the gums and creates a pocket between the tooth and gums that cause destructive changes in the bone and leads to severe bone loss around the tooth.
Differentiate it from other gum diseases?
Symptom of periodontitis
The symptom of periodontitis appears in different stages Such as in
- Mild symptom periodontitis. The initial stage remains asymptomatic, sometimes bleeding while brushing and flossing due to gingival infection.
- Early periodontitis symptom. In early periodontists, the gums become swallowed and red in color, detached from the tooth that creates a pocket between the tooth and gum.
- Moderate periodontitis symptom. Changing in gums color from purple to bright red, the tooth becomes sensitive due to gum rescission that exposes the root of the tooth.
- Advanced periodontitis symptom. Bad breath, pain while chewing, and severe gum recession cause crown lengthening, changing in a bit, and space between the tooth is increase with time.
Periodontitis can be differentiated from another gum disease such as gingivitis which only infects the gums of the tooth. In gingivitis, the infection is above the gum line and does not create a pocket not involve the deep periodontal ligament. Gingivitis can be treated with preventive measures such as brushing, flossing, antibacterial mouthwashes, and dental cleaning (scaling).
Other gum diseases such as Chronic periodontitis, a slow-growing periodontal infection commonly associated with late age. Aggressive periodontitis is the rapid destruction of periodontal tissue and surrounding bone of the tooth commonly associated with young age and smoking. Periodontitis is related to systemic diseases such as heart disease, respiratory disease, and diabetes. scaling, root planning is used to cure it. Necrotized periodontitis is a gum disease associated with a compromised immune system such as HIV, malnutrition, and other medical conditions. Antimicrobial and antifungal treatment is required along with nonsurgical treatment.
Periodontal treatment
Non-surgical
Non-surgical periodontal treatment performs in mild and moderate periodontitis to detoxify the gum infection. In scaling, deep cleaning is performed by a professional to eliminate calculus and tartar that is difficult to remove by brushing. Root planning is the process of smoothing the root of the tooth so gums can easily be reattached to the tooth. Antibiotic is also prescribed to control infection.
Surgical periodontal treatment
Surgical periodontitis treatment is performed in advanced periodontitis to reduce the pocket between the tooth and gum with the help of surgery. This process is done under local anesthesia. An incision is made at the affected site to excess the destructive periodontal ligament and bone. The infected tissue is removed, detoxifying the pocket, smoothing the root, remove any irregularity to enhance the gingival attachment. A gingival or bone graft is placed to fill the pocket then suture the tissue and follow-up for healing.
Gum graft
This procedure is done in moderate periodontitis or severe gum recession. Gum from the other side of the oral cavity is used to cover the exposed root of the tooth. A palatal graft is commonly used and surgery places the exposed root of the tooth.
Bone Regeneration
This treatment is used in advanced periodontitis with bone loss. Periodontal infection causes destructive changes in the tooth-supporting bone and severe bone loss. Bone graft, growth-stimulating tissue is placed at the affected site that can regenerate the lost bone.
Take care of your teeth post-treatment what to expect?
- Avoid cold, hot, or spicy food for a few days because sensitivity increases after periodontal treatment.
- Avoid smoking, it can delay the healing process.
- Maintain strict dental hygiene, brushing twice, flossing after food, and uses of mouthwash, strongly recommended by the dentist after periodontal treatment.
- Dental visit after 3 to 4 months is mandatory after periodontal treatment for healing assessment and monitor calculus and plaque accumulation under the gum line.
Periodontitis can cause severe dental issues such as tooth loss but early diagnosis, periodontal treatment, dental hygiene, and regular dental visit can cure the dental problem and prevent reoccurs it.