Periodontics
is that specialty of dentistry which encompasses the prevention,
diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the supporting and surrounding
tissues of the teeth or their substitutes and the maintenance
of the health, function and esthetics of these structures and
tissues.
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Why
You Need A Periodontal Screening
Periodontal
disease is a bacterial infection that affects the attachment
fibers and supporting bone that hold your teeth in your mouth.
A periodontal screening is an easy way for your dental care
professional to determine the state of your periodontal health.
During this screening, a small measuring probe is gently placed
between your tooth and gum to assess your periodontal health.
Early detection and treatment of periodontal disease can help
you keep your teeth for a lifetime.
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CONTRIBUTING
FACTORS TO PERIODONTAL DISEASE
The
response of the gums and bone to dental plaque may be modified
by one or more of the following factors.
- Poorly fitting dental restorations
- Smoking
- Crowded teeth, improper bite alignment
- Clenching or grinding of teeth
- Hormonal changes, including pregnancy, menstruation and menopause
- Diet
- Systemic diseases, including blood disorders and diabetes
- Medications, including calcium channel blockers and anti-convulsants
- When gums bleed during brushing
- Swollen, red or tender gums
- Longer teeth
- Pus appears when pressing the gums
- Loose teeth
- Change is position of teeth
- Change in the way your teeth fit when you bite
- Bad breath or bad taste
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What
Is Periodontal Disease?
Periodontal
disease starts by a bacterial infection that destroys the gums,
bone and ligaments supporting the teeth. Periodontal disease
progresses silently, often without pain or symptoms. It may
develop slowly or progress rapidly.Nine out of ten people are
afflicted with some form of periodontal disease in their lifetime.
Periodontal disease affects more than half the population over
18 years of age. After 35, approximately three out of four adults
develop some form of gum disease.
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How
Does Periodontal Disease Develop?
Bacteria
called plaque forms at the point where the teeth meet the gums,
as well as between the teeth. If it is not removed daily, plaque
multiplies into colonies. Unremoved plaque hardens into tartar,
a tough gritty deposit which, because of its roughness, collects
more plaque. Tartar can only be removed by a dentist or dental
hygenist. If plaque is allowed to develop, an inflamation of
the gums occurs called gingivitis. As gingivitis worsens, gums
begin to pull away and recede from the teeth. Pockets of bacteria
form and deepen, reaching the bone and destroying the bone that
anchors the teeth. The advanced stage of this disease is called
periodontitis, which can lead to tooth loss if not treated.
Other causes of periodontal disease, aside from plaque (the
chief cause), are conditions affecting the immune system such
as diabetes, hormone imbalances, thyroid malfunction and pregnancy,
and also some medications and hereditary factors.
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Diagnosis
Of Periodontal Disease
During
checkup, the periodontist uses an instrument called a periodontal
probe. This determines if there is any breakdown in the attachment
of the gums to the teeth, or early development of pockets between
the teeth and gums. The depth of the pockets is measured in
millimeters with the periodontal probe. Up to three millimeters
is considered normal.. deeper than three millimeters indicates
a potential problem. X-rays are taken if there is concern over
possible bone destruction.
The
main goal of periodontal treatment is eradication of the disease
process from the gums, ligaments and bones that surround the
teeth, and restoration of health that can be predictably maintained
in the future.
PHASE
I
Initial treatment involves educating patients in the proper
methods of effective, daily plaque removal and oral hygiene.
This is a critical component of successful therapy.
Scaling and root planing are performed to clean the tooth structure
and remove bacterial plaque and calculus deposits (the source
of the infection) from the gum pockets. This may be the only
treatment necessary in cases of gingivitis and very mild periodontitis
PHASE
II
In cases which demonstrate deeper gum pockets and underlying
bone loss, it becomes necessary to eliminate the diseased gum
pockets and bony destruction with osseous (bone) surgery. The
gum is "flapped" and retracted away from the teeth
to expose the underlying roots and bone deformities. The bone
is contoured to approximate a normal physiologic profile, and
the gum is sutured back to place. When the gum heals, normal
probing depth is re-established between the gum and tooth (ideally
1-3mm). The attainment of minimal probing depth facilitates
easy removal of plaque by patients at home and by hygienists
during professional cleaning.
Additional treatment modalities may be necessary to treat periodontal
disease and restore health.
These may include:
- Bone grafts for bone regeneration
- Gum grafts to treat gum recession and pathological root exposure
- Cosmetic plastic surgery of the gums to improve appearance
- Fabrication of night guards for bruxism ( tooth grinding )
- Splinting or bonding teeth together for increased strength
and stability
- Orthodontics ( braces ) to straighten and realign teeth
- Removal of diseased roots on some types of molars
- Use of medications such as antibiotics, fluoride and antimicrobial
rinses
Laser Dentistry Procedures and Effects:
LASER PERIODONTAL THERAPY
Laser
dentistry or laser periodontics allows for the treatment of
gum disease at any earlier stage. In addition, it can be useful
to pregnant women and people with debilitating medical conditions.
While there is no guarantee of total "pain free laser dentistry"
discomfort is greatly reduced. By receiving dental laser treatments,
patients often have no need for Novocain or other anesthetics!
Dental laser treatment, often referred to as laser periodontal
treatment, works well for treating canker sores and bacterial
infections around teeth and gums.
During
a treatment it is also common for the patient to wear protective
glasses toprotect his/her eyes from continued exposure to bright
light. The laser emits a tiny ticking sound-a far cry from the
days of traditional dental drills. However, keep in mind that
a laser might not be appropriate for all procedures. Today,
many dental services can be performed with either the laser
or traditional treatment, and are generally covered by most
insurance plans. Dr Phillip F. Ajaje should be able to determine
whether or not laser dentistry is right for you.
•
Partial thickness flap
• Split thickness flap
• Laser soft tissue curettage (The removal of tissue or
growths from a body cavity)
• Laser removal of diseased, infected, inflamed and necrosed
soft tissue within the periodontal pocket
• Removal of highly inflamed edematous tissue affected
by bacteria penetration of the pocket lining and junctional
epithelium
• Removal of granulation tissue from bony defects
• Sulcular debridement (removal of diseased or inflamed
soft tissue in the periodontal pocket to improve clinical indices
including gingival index, gingival bleeding index, probe depth,
attachment loss and tooth mobility)
• Osteoplasty and osseous recontouring (removal of bone
to correct osseous defects and create physiologic osseous contours)
• Ostectomy (resection of bone to restore bony architecture,
resection of bone for grafting, etc.)
• Osseous crown lengthening - refer below
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Osseous
Crown Lengthening
When
it comes to a procedure like osseous crown lengthening, the
OPUS 5 excels. Because it cuts soft tissue, hard tissue and
bone, you can use a single instrument to create the biologic
width necessary for problem-free aesthetic restorations.Pre-op
view, no biologic width for crowns
Once
the active phase of treatment is complete and health has been
restored, it is extremely important that patients be seen by
a hygienist for routine dental and periodontal cleaning on a
regular basis. This regimen, along with diligent home care and
oral hygiene, will give the best chance for preventing recurrence
of disease and maintaining long term periodontal health.
If
you require any more information on EMERGENCY
DENTISTRY IN SYDNEY please do not hesitate to
contact us.
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