PERIODONTAL DISEASE
ITS DIAGNOSIS AND  TREATMENT

Periodontal Disease is a group of problems that affect the Gingiva (Gums) and  the supporting bone that holds the teeth firm.

The Links below describe how we diagnose the various stages of periodontal  disease, how we treat them and (most importantly) how you can prevent them.

• Periodontal Disease (Gum Disease & Gingivitis)
  
  Periodontal (gum) disease affects three out of four adults at some time in their lives. It doesn't necessarily hurt and you may not even be aware that you have it until an advanced stage. Here is an explanation designed for the General Public or Everyday Person
• A Dental School Explanation of Periodontal Disease
  
  Periodontal disease is an infection which develop over time in most adults and in a few young individuals. The disease is caused by the normal microbial flora of the mouth. These bacteria form deposits on the teeth at and below the gingival margin. The common term for these bacterial accumulations is Dental Plaque which over time mineralize and turned into Calculus.
• Periodontal Risk Factors
  
  RISK FACTORS include tobacco use (both smoking and smokeless tobacco) , ill-fitting bridges, crowns and fillings, a bad-bite, clenching or grinding teeth poor diet, pregnancy and the use of oral contraceptives, as well as systemic disease such as diabetes or AIDS and certain medications (steroids, anti-epilepsy, cancer therapy, blood pressure medications, oral contraceptives)
• The Stages Of Periodontal Disease
  
  The Stages of Periodontal disease range from health, to only affecting the soft tissue as gingivitis, to early then moderate and finally severe periodontitis.
• The Role of X-Rays in Periodontal Disease Diagnosis
  
  The gum tissue can appear at a normal level even with significant bone loss. Therefore, dental radiographs are needed to assess what the bone height is and whether there is any loss of the bone support for the teeth.
• Gum Disease Linked with Heart Disease
  
  The most common strain of bacteria in dental plaque can cause blood clots that induce heart attacks when they escape into the bloodstream, researchers have reported.
• Flossing and Brushing
  
  This combined procedure's primary purpose is to educate and train the patient with a hands-on approach in order to develop excellent oral hygiene skills for a better controlling the cause of periodontal disease (bacterial plaque). A prophylaxis (regular dental cleaning and polishing) is done simultaneously to remove deposits of plaque, calculus, stain from the surfaces of the teeth that are above the gum to facilitate development of better home care techniques.
• Fluoride Role in Decay, Periodontitis and Sensitivity
  
  Everyone knows the the effectiveness of fluoride in preventing tooth decay. They also work to reduce root sensitivity and have a role in prevention of periodontal disease as well.
• Deep Scalling and Root Planing
  
  Scaling and root planing is the most common and conservative form of treatment for periodontal (gum) disease. Scaling is the removal of calculus (commonly called tartar) and plaque that attach to the tooth surfaces. The process especially targets the area below the gum line, along the root. Plaque is more likely to stick to rough surfaces. For this reason, the root surface is smoothed down in a process called root planing. Root planing removes any remaining calculus and smoothes irregular areas of the root surface.
• Occlusal (Bite) Adjustment
  
  This procedure makes corrections to the bite associated with loose, shifting teeth or teeth that are biting too hard. Balancing and evenly distributing the biting and chewing forces on a tooth reduces the looseness and relieves excessive pressures on the supporting gum and bone structures.
• Periodontal Maintenance Procedures
  
  Periodontal Maintenance Procedures follow active Periodontal therapy. Afterward, an interval is established for periodic ongoing care. This care is under the supervision of the periodontist and includes an update of the medical history, an evaluation of the periodontal status, removal of bacterial plaque from crevicular and pocket areas, scaling and root planing where indicated, polishing, and review of the patient's plaque control efficiency.
• The Latest News in Periodontalogy
  
  This page is a feed from the American Academy of Periodontology on the last news and developments in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of Periodontal Disease.