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Services
(Periodontal
Disease Diagnosis
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Periodontal
disease is diagnosed by your dentist or dental hygienist during
a periodontal examination. This type of exam should always be
part of your regular dental check-up.
A periodontal probe (small dental instrument) is gently used to
measure the sulcus (pocket or space) between the tooth and the
gums. The depth of a healthy sulcus measures three millimeters
or less and does not bleed. The periodontal probe helps indicate
if pockets are deeper than three millimeters. As periodontal
disease progresses, the pockets usually get deeper.
Your dentist or hygienist will use pocket depths, amount of
bleeding, inflammation, tooth mobility, etc., to make a
diagnosis that will fall into a category below: |
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Gingivitis
Gingivitis is the first stage of periodontal disease. Plaque and
its toxin by-products irritate the gums, making them tender,
inflamed, and likely to bleed.
Periodontitis
Plaque hardens into calculus (tartar). As calculus and plaque
continue to build up, the gums begin to recede from the teeth.
Deeper pockets form between the gums and teeth and become filled
with bacteria and pus. The gums become very irritated, inflamed,
and bleed easily. Slight to moderate bone loss may be present.
Advanced Periodontitis
The teeth lose more support as the gums, bone, and periodontal
ligament continue to be destroyed. Unless treated, the affected
teeth will become very loose and may be lost. Generalized
moderate to severe bone loss may be present. |
Treatment
Periodontal treatment methods depend upon the type and severity
of the disease. Your dentist and dental hygienist will evaluate
for periodontal disease and recommend the appropriate treatment.
Periodontal disease progresses as the sulcus (pocket or space)
between the tooth and gums gets filled with bacteria, plaque,
and tartar, causing irritation to the surrounding tissues. When
these irritants remain in the pocket space, they can cause
damage to the gums and eventually, the bone that supports the
teeth!
If the disease is caught in the early stages of gingivitis, and
no damage has been done, one to two regular cleanings will be
recommended. You will also be given instructions on improving
your daily oral hygiene habits and having regular dental
cleanings.
If the disease has progressed to more advanced stages, a special
periodontal cleaning called scaling and root planing (deep
cleaning) will be recommended. It is usually done one quadrant
of the mouth at a time while the area is numb. In this
procedure, tartar, plaque, and toxins are removed from above and
below the gum line (scaling) and rough spots on root surfaces
are made smooth (planing). This procedure helps gum tissue to
heal and pockets to shrink. Medications, special medicated mouth
rinses, and an electric tooth brush may be recommended to help
control infection and healing.
If the pockets do not heal after scaling and root planning,
periodontal surgery may be needed to reduce pocket depths,
making teeth easier to clean.
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Maintenance
It only takes twenty four hours for plaque that is not removed
from your teeth to turn into calculus (tartar)! Daily home
cleaning helps control plaque and tartar formation, but those
hard to reach areas will always need special attention.
Once your periodontal treatment has been completed, your dentist
and dental hygienist will recommend that you have regular
maintenance cleanings (periodontal cleanings), usually four
times a year. At these cleaning appointments, the pocket depths
will be carefully checked to ensure that they are healthy.
Plaque and calculus that is difficult for you to remove on a
daily basis will be removed from above and below the gum line.
In addition to your periodontal cleaning and evaluation, your
appointment will usually include one or more of the followings:
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Examination of diagnostic x-rays (radiographs): Essential
for detection of decay, tumors, cysts, and bone loss.X-rays
also help determine tooth and root positions.
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Examination of existing restorations: Check current
fillings, crowns, etc.
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Examination of tooth decay: Check all tooth surfaces for
decay.
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Oral
cancer screening: Check the face, neck, lips, tongue,
throat, cheek tissues, and gums for any signs of oral
cancer.
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Oral
hygiene recommendations: Review and recommend oral hygiene
aids as needed. (Electric toothbrushes, special periodontal
brushes, fluorides, rinses, etc.)
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Teeth
polishing: Remove stain and plaque that is not otherwise
removed during tooth brushing and scaling.
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Good oral
hygiene practices and periodontal cleanings are essential in
maintaining dental health and keeping periodontal disease under
control! |
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