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Periodontics (periodontology) is a branch of dentistry specifically concerned with diagnosing and treating periodontal disease. Periodontitis or periodontal disease is a chronic inflammatory disease that affects the gums and is triggered by bacterial growth in the mouth.
According to the American Dental Association, periodontics is exclusively focused on treating the inflammatory disease that destroys the gums and weakens the other supporting structures around the teeth. This article will enlighten you about the periodontics specialties and their available treatments.
Periodontics is concerned with treating different phases of gum disease, specifically known as “periodontal disease.” These different phases are discussed below:
Gingiva or gingivitis is a disease in which the gums swell or bleed because of inflammation. It usually results from bacteria or plaque on the teeth that results from poor oral hygiene. This disease can also form because of poor nutrition or by consuming certain drugs, or because of infections. In this type of disease, patients do not complain of any pain or discomfort, but the symptoms must be given due importance to avoid any future complications.
Periodontitis is a severe form of gum infection that arises because of untreated gingivitis. It creates toxins that affect the gums and bone and eventually lead to their destruction. Periodontitis gives way to frequent infections and inflammation and damages the soft tissue and the supporting bone of teeth. Therefore, it must be treated well on time. Periodontitis has many types, for instance:
Aggressive periodontitis is a destructive disease that disrupts the periodontal tissues and destroys the bone. It usually occurs in patients below the age of 30 and who experience a sudden onset of the disease. The symptoms of aggressive periodontitis are listed below:
Chronic periodontitis is an inflammatory disease that disrupts the supporting tissues of the teeth; it is often associated with orofacial pain. This disease usually results from excessive dental plaque that significantly affects the tissues of the periodontium. The common symptoms of this disease are:
At times, periodontitis can also result from systemic diseases which affect the whole body, such as diabetes, heart disease, respiratory disease, etc.
Periodontists use a variety of procedures to cure gum diseases. These include:
Many people suffer from periodontal disease and gum-related conditions. If kept untreated, they cause tooth loss, bone damage, and receding gums. However, it is always good to consult a periodontist to fix these issues before they further aggravate.
Contact your Fairfield dentist, Dr. Cheng Zhu, at Freedom Family Sedation Dentistry today for more information.
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*Neither this nor any other content in this media is meant to prescribe, recommend, or prevent any treatment or procedure. We highly recommend that you get the advice of a qualified dentist or other medical practitioners regarding your specific dental condition.