Diagnosis
Periodontitis is a kind of dental disease that shouldn't be neglected. Once you are seated for check-up, your dentist will inspect the color and firmness of your gums and test the teeth for looseness if they fit together when you bit. X-rays are normally taken to check the bone supporting the teeth. A method called periodontal probing is considered at the final stage of testing for gum disease. It is usually performed by just gently inserting a small instrument between the tooth and gum to measure the depth of the pocket.
Treatment
Once the dentist confirms the presence of periodontal disease, the patient will need to undergo some treatment depending on the gravity of the case. If only threats of periodontal disease are manifested, the dentist will advise a meticulous dental home care program to stop the bacteria on its tracks.
But if the condition is already on the earlier stage, periodontal disease treatment might involve root planing and curettage under the gum margins. Curettage, on one hand, is a cleaning procedure which involves the removal of plaque and inflamed soft tissue in the pockets around the tooth with the use of the so-called instrument curette. This process is considered to eradicate the bacterial build-up and chemical irritants that cause inflammation resulting to periodontal disease. Typically this method aim to reattach the gum to the tooth or in order for the gum to shrink enough to eradicate the pocket. Root planning, curettage, and the proper daily plaque removal are methods that need to be considered in order to achieve satisfactory result.
The periodontal disease treatment may become more complex in more advanced cases. After the removal of the deposits, fairly deep pockets that remain are eliminated through a minor surgical procedure called gingivectomy. This procedure is done under anaesthesia and a medical dressing is placed to cover the wound area for a week or so until it heals. Gingivoplasty is another procedure being used to remove excessive gum tissue and to give a new and healthier shape for the gums.
Sometimes, flap surgeries are carried out. But, in this kind of surgical procedure, the gum tissue is lifted away from the teeth, thus all underlying inflamed tissue and plaques are removed. The bone may then be reconstructed to its proper shape while the gum will be replaced into its proper position and sutured. The healing process for this type of treatment may take 7 to 21 days with some post-operative discomfort. During the healing process, antibiotics are sometimes prescribed to support the treatment.
Prevention
Yet, why undergo all the pain and discomfort and the expenses from expensive surgical treatment if you can prevent periodontitis from taking place? What you really need is to brush and floss your teeth every after meals to effectively avoid periodontal disease. Generally speaking, brushing and flossing along with regular dental check-ups are just enough to avoid the risk of developing plaque.
Periodontitis is a kind of dental disease that shouldn't be neglected. Once you are seated for check-up, your dentist will inspect the color and firmness of your gums and test the teeth for looseness if they fit together when you bit. X-rays are normally taken to check the bone supporting the teeth. A method called periodontal probing is considered at the final stage of testing for gum disease. It is usually performed by just gently inserting a small instrument between the tooth and gum to measure the depth of the pocket.
Treatment
Once the dentist confirms the presence of periodontal disease, the patient will need to undergo some treatment depending on the gravity of the case. If only threats of periodontal disease are manifested, the dentist will advise a meticulous dental home care program to stop the bacteria on its tracks.
But if the condition is already on the earlier stage, periodontal disease treatment might involve root planing and curettage under the gum margins. Curettage, on one hand, is a cleaning procedure which involves the removal of plaque and inflamed soft tissue in the pockets around the tooth with the use of the so-called instrument curette. This process is considered to eradicate the bacterial build-up and chemical irritants that cause inflammation resulting to periodontal disease. Typically this method aim to reattach the gum to the tooth or in order for the gum to shrink enough to eradicate the pocket. Root planning, curettage, and the proper daily plaque removal are methods that need to be considered in order to achieve satisfactory result.
The periodontal disease treatment may become more complex in more advanced cases. After the removal of the deposits, fairly deep pockets that remain are eliminated through a minor surgical procedure called gingivectomy. This procedure is done under anaesthesia and a medical dressing is placed to cover the wound area for a week or so until it heals. Gingivoplasty is another procedure being used to remove excessive gum tissue and to give a new and healthier shape for the gums.
Sometimes, flap surgeries are carried out. But, in this kind of surgical procedure, the gum tissue is lifted away from the teeth, thus all underlying inflamed tissue and plaques are removed. The bone may then be reconstructed to its proper shape while the gum will be replaced into its proper position and sutured. The healing process for this type of treatment may take 7 to 21 days with some post-operative discomfort. During the healing process, antibiotics are sometimes prescribed to support the treatment.
Prevention
Yet, why undergo all the pain and discomfort and the expenses from expensive surgical treatment if you can prevent periodontitis from taking place? What you really need is to brush and floss your teeth every after meals to effectively avoid periodontal disease. Generally speaking, brushing and flossing along with regular dental check-ups are just enough to avoid the risk of developing plaque.
About the Author:
To find out more about periodontal disease, visit Peter White's site. He's a writer and he widely write articles about health and fitness. And, he can help you find reliable information about periodontitis online. For more info, visit site at http://www.oramd.com/