Periodontal Disease
at Capital Periodontics and Dental Implants
About Periodontal Disease
Periodontal disease (gum disease) is an inflammatory disease which affects the tissues supporting the teeth (the gums or gingiva, periodontal ligament and the alveolar bone).
Common symptoms of periodontal disease include bad breath, redness and bleeding of the gums, swelling of the gums. In the later stages this may be followed by receding gums and loose, drifting teeth, which may results in spacing between the teeth.
When this condition is only present in the more superficial gum tissue, it is known as Gingivitis. This is a common condition and is easily treated. However, when inflammation has progressed to deeper structures such as the alveolar bone, it is known as Periodontitis or periodontal disease. This can be a progressive disease, which may gradually destroy the supporting tissues of the teeth and lead to tooth loss.
What is the cause?
Periodontal disease is an inflammatory condition caused by dental plaque (a film of the bacteria present in the mouth that forms on the teeth). If dental plaque is allowed to accumulate in the space between the gums and the tooth surface, the gums (gingiva) will mount an inflammatory response to the bacteria, which is called Gingivitis. Because inflammation increases the blood supply to the affected area to recruit white blood cells to combat the bacteria, the gums may appear reddened and bleed easily.
In some people, gingivitis may progress to Periodontitis. This occurs when the white blood cells fighting the bacteria within dental plaque cause destruction of the important tissues supporting the teeth (the periodontal ligament and the alveolar bone). Over time (months, years and even decades) this may lead to adverse signs such as loosening and drifting of teeth.
Can Anyone Develop Periodontal Disease?
It seems that everyone can develop gingivitis if they fail to maintain good oral hygiene and allow dental plaque to accumulate. Fortunately, the progression of Gingivitis to Periodontitis does not occur in everyone. In fact, only about 15% of the population appears to be at risk of losing their teeth to severe periodontal disease.
How is it Treated?
The aim of periodontal treatment is to restore the health of the gums, periodontal ligament and alveolar bone by reducing the bacterial deposits on the teeth. This is achieved though a combination of professional removal of the bacterial deposits from the roots of the teeth and maintaining a high standard of personal oral hygiene to prevent reformation of dental plaque on the teeth.
In most situations, a non-surgical approach under local anaesthetic (similar to other dental procedures) is effective in removing the bacterial deposits with a combination of ultrasonic and hand instruments.
Sometimes, if the bacterial deposits are deep under the gums, it may be necessary to carry out surgery on the gums (again under local anaesthetic) to gain access to the bacteria. Antibiotics may be used in combination with non-surgical or surgical treatment in some situations.
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