Periodontics
Periodontal dentists, or periodontists, such as Dr. Wagner, focus on the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of gum diseases. They may also perform plastic surgery of the gums or surgery for the installation of dental implants.
The gums are one of the most important parts of not only your mouth but the health of your entire body. The tissues and ligaments surrounding and supporting the teeth are essential to overall dental health. Disease in these tissues can cause teeth to loosen or fall out, necessitating removal and replacement with implants or dental bridges. Also, gum disease has been shown to correlate with heart disease and other more serious conditions affecting the whole body.
It is important for your oral health that you undergo regular dental checkups to detect and treat periodontal disease. Your general dentists can examine for gum disease and treat it in the early stages, however, in most cases, more serious conditions will need to be treated by a periodontist. It is helpful if your general and cosmetic dentist is also a periodontist, like Dr. Wagner.
Symptoms of Periodontal Disease
Since mild gum diseases usually do not cause pain or discomfort, they can go unnoticed until bone loss or more serious conditions develop if left untreated. Therefore, it is important to undergo regular check ups with your dentist or periodontist in order to detect any problems as early as possible. Some of the more common symptoms of gum disease that you can look for are:
- Gums that are red, swollen or tender to the touch
- Bleeding from gums when you brush or floss
- Gums that become unattached from the teeth
- Teeth that move
- Pus between gums and teeth
- Ongoing halitosis or bad breath
- Alterations in your jaw positioning or bite between upper and lower teeth
Types of Periodontal Diseases
Gingivitis, the mildest form of periodontal disease, is simply an inflammation of the gums that surround the teeth. While there is usually no pain or discomfort with Gingivitis, this can delay detection and treatment without regular dental check ups. If not properly treated, Gingivitis can develop into the more serious disease periodontitis.
Periodontitis is a more serious form of periodontal disease and can present itself in varying forms. This disease can stem from systemic diseases like heart disease, respiratory problems and diabetes beginning at a young age. The common types are Chronic periodontitis, Aggressive periodontitis and Necrotizing periodontitis.
The most common type, Chronic periodontitis, causes inflammation of the supporting tissues of the teeth, progressive attachment and bone loss. This disease typically progresses slowly over time but can also be spurred into rapid periods of progression at times.
Dentists can diagnose Chronic periodontitis by using dental X-rays to reveal bone loss and by measuring pocket formation and/or gum recession. While Chronic periodontitis usually only develops in adults over the age of 35, it may occur at any age.
Aggressive periodontitis is a less common but more serious type of periodontitis. It is characterized by rapid attachment loss, bone destruction and loss of teeth. It can be localized to the first molars and/or front teeth, which usually occurs around puberty; or generalized to three or more permanent teeth as well as first molars and incisors in people up to 30 years old.
Necrotizing periodontitis is an infection causing death of gum tissue and ligaments as well as the jaw bone that holds teeth roots. It usually only presents in patients with systemic conditions such as HIV and malnutrition due to ulcers but can also be. Stress, smoking and poor oral hygiene, however, can also increase the risk of developing this disease.
Causes of Periodontal Disease
Periodontal diseases are caused mostly by plaque, which is a sticky, colorless coating that forms on your teeth. Without proper treatment the bacteria in plaque will infect the gums and gradually destroy the tissues supporting the teeth and underlying bone. This causes the gums to become detached from the teeth which leaves pockets that are filled with more plaque and further infection.
Other causes of gum disease can include poor oral hygiene, smoking, drug or alcohol abuse, oral piercings, stress, poor nutrition, systemic diseases that lower the effectiveness of the immune system, hormone fluctuations, genetics and certain medications.
Treatment of Periodontal Diseases
Although gum disease is relatively common, once developed it is an ongoing condition that is treated or managed, but never cured. Persistent professional treatment is required to keep periodontal diseases from recurring.
What type of treatment you may need for your gum disease will depend on how far it has progressed. This could range from simple therapy for the early stages of Gingivitis to surgery for late progression Periodontitis.
Your periodontist can perform plastic surgery to cover exposed tooth root surfaces, correct damage to the gums or jawbones or fix and reshape gum tissue. If they are also a cosmetic dentist, they may be able to correct or even approve the appearance of your smile.
Even after you have your gum disease under control you will need to adhere to regular check ups to maintain your oral health. Each time you see your periodontist they will examine for new plaque and infection, or changes in your bite. You should also undergo regular professional teeth cleanings to ensure that you are practicing proper oral hygiene.