Periodontology is the main branch of medicine concerned with the tissues surrounding teeth, inflammatory diseases, and their treatment.
The first sign of periodontal disease, which is common in society, is bleeding gums. The gums are red, swollen, and have a shiny surface. Often, these symptoms are accompanied by bad breath, itching in the gums, bleeding sensation, and tooth sensitivity. Periodontal disease can affect people of all ages, from childhood to old age, with varying severity. It often progresses without symptoms because the patient does not experience pain. When the patient does experience symptoms, healthy and decay-free teeth are lost due to loosening of supporting tissues.
Periodontitis, or gum inflammation , is an inflammatory disease characterized by the destruction of the teeth and the tissues supporting them (periodontal ligament, cementum, alveolar bone). The gum inflammation has progressed to the alveolar bone (jawbone). The primary cause of periodontitis is bacterial plaque, and it is mechanically treatable. However, genetic, environmental, and systemic factors can also contribute to the disease. Systemic factors include diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, epilepsy, Down syndrome, AIDS, and blood disorders.
Diagnosis and treatment of periodontal disease: When dentists suspect a problem based on the general appearance of the gums, they measure the length of the periodontal pocket between the tooth and the gum using an instrument called a 'periodontal probe'. X-rays may also be taken to evaluate the bone tissue around the teeth. In this way, periodontal diseases are diagnosed.
The main goal of periodontal treatment is to preserve seemingly hopeless, unhealthy teeth in the mouth. Various treatment methods can be applied depending on the type and severity of the disease. These can be summarized as: oral hygiene education, tartar removal, root planing, regenerative, reconstructive, and mucogingival surgeries. Improving gum aesthetics in individuals with a high smile line is also within the scope of periodontal treatment. The type and severity of the disease, the patient's habits, their cooperation with their dentist, and the standard of oral hygiene directly affect the treatment plan and its success. Periodontal treatment, when diagnosed early and the necessary interventions are performed, is a dental service with definite results and the highest patient satisfaction rate. It should be remembered that no restorative treatment can be applied to teeth that are not periodontally healthy.
