| |
Periodontal Disease |
Diagnosis of periodontal disease starts with taking the patient’s medical history to discover any past or current periodontal issues, as well as the presence of other diseases and medications which could play a role in the problem. A general assessment of patient’s oral hygiene and home dental care practices are also included in this first phase of the diagnosis.
The next phase of the diagnosis focuses on an inspection of the gums. This inspection includes an examination of the color and shape of the gums on either side of each tooth. Inflammation, which is usually indicated by redness and/or bleeding upon the area being probed, can be the first hint that periodontal disease could be present. Another indication of the presence of periodontal disease can be found in the formation of the gums between teeth. If this area is blunt or flat as opposed to pointed, a more severe state of the disease may be present.
Diagnosis then moves on to testing for the movement or looseness of a patient’s teeth. Loose teeth can indicate that disease is present at deeper levels and that bone support is weakening. X-rays are then taken to confirm or refute the loss of the bone structure which supports the teeth. This process requires eighteen x-rays to make up the full mouth series necessary for a complete diagnosis.
If periodontal disease is determined to be present the next phase is treatment. If you are experiencing any of the symptoms mentioned above, you could be at the early stages of periodontal disease. For a full diagnosis and an early start on fighting this disease, call us today.
Treatment
Studies show that active treatment combined with a strict maintenance program for patients with periodontal disease is highly effective with success rates of over 80%. Conversely, patients who are inconsistent in their periodontal disease treatments have a much higher rate of tooth loss than those who followed their treatment and maintenance schedules. Smoking also has a hindering effect on treatments, especially when the disease develops deep and consistent pockets in the gums.
Once the presence of periodontal disease has been confirmed, treatments begin with the first objective being the arrest and stoppage of the disease’s progression. While treatments will vary depending on how far the disease has advanced, this is typically accomplished with the cleaning, scaling, and surgery to remove affected areas where necessary.
The secondary objective is to return the gums to a state of health where only maintenance is required. This is usually accomplished with continued cleaning and lower dosage antibiotics. These can either be in oral or topical forms. In advanced cases of periodontal disease, further surgery may be required to restore the bone and gum structures which support the teeth.
Once the active treatment of periodontal disease is completed and the gums have returned to a healthy state, the maintenance phase begins with follow up visits to our office as well as home care. As stated above, vigilance in this area has very positive results while negligence can prove costly. If you have questions regarding our treatment regimen for periodontal disease, please call for a consultation today.
Maintenance
Once the successful treatment of periodontal treatment has been completed, a continuing regimen of periodontal maintenance is necessary. This maintenance phase is a critical element of the long term success over the disease and a high percentage of patients who follow their maintenance schedule closely never have a recurrence. The maintenance phase involves regular checkups to ensure that the disease remains under control as well as and detailed cleanings every three to four months to prevent recurrence and re-growth of the microorganisms which cause periodontal disease. Teeth which were affected by the disease prior to treatment are watched closely so that treatment can be started as quickly as possible should the disease return. Checkups can be done with the dental hygienist, the periodontist who treated the disease, or a general dentist.
With the disease under control, the patient receives a cleaning categorized as periodontal maintenance prophylaxis. This type of teeth cleaning is similar to regular maintenance but periodontal patients typically have more root surface exposed which makes the process a little more complicated. These cleaning sessions usually require between 45 minutes to one hour to complete.
In addition to office visits and regular cleanings, vigilant home care in the form of regular brushing and flossing is required. Periodontal disease often occurs simply due to poor plaque control. For this reason, proper brushing and flossing techniques must be used in the home to prevent a recurrence of the disease.
|
|
|
|
|
