What You Need to Know about Periodontitis: Insights from a North Park Dentist
Often the result of a prolonged, untreated periodontal condition, periodontitis is one of the most common dental problems that affect more than 3 million people in the U.S. every year.
Periodontitis is the inflammation of the periodontium: the tissues, periodontal ligament, and alveolar bone that surround the teeth, which leads to the infectious and relatively painless (at first) destruction of the periodontium. If left untreated, the severity of the damage may result in medical complications such as stroke, myocardial infarction, atherosclerosis, renal failure, and larger complications for those who have diabetes or cancer.
Types of Periodontitis
Chronic Periodontitis
Chronic periodontitis is attributed to tooth loss in adults. Poor glycemic control or fluctuating sugar levels often trigger the early and unprecedented onset of periodontitis in adults. In turn, periodontitis worsens the body’s glycemic control, making it harder for a diabetic patient to recover from diabetes or live a controlled lifestyle. Periodontitis can also be used to detect diabetes and cancer cell formation. The majority of people who have been treated for their periodontal disease are also subjected to clinical tests, making it easier to narrow down the patient’s medical condition.
The treatment for chronic periodontitis is fairly straightforward. There are four systematic steps to disinfect and rehabilitate the damaged periodontium. These include the following:
1. Full mouth disinfection that uses scaling and root planning to the extent that all the accumulated plaque of the teeth and gum line are entirely removed, and the periodontal pocket’s debridement to prevent any spread of bacteria to the healthy periodontium.
2. Open flap debridement is a more sophisticated and more effective approach in which surgical intervention is done to better clean deeper pocket areas where the periodontitis has spread.
3. Guided tissue regeneration (GTR) is typically much more effective than open flap debridement. It is costly, but the benefits will outweigh the costs, especially in severe cases of periodontitis. The accelerated regenerative growth of the new bone and gingival tissue on the patient’s mouth will compensate for the severely degenerated gum tissue that has been depleted by the periodontal disease. GTR will also pave the way for implants’ stability when they have been inserted to replace the lost/fallen teeth.
4. Enamel matrix derivative (EMD) is similar to GTR in terms of cost and effectiveness, though the difference lies in EMD’s ability to lessen the pocket depth.
Aggressive Periodontitis
Aggressive periodontitis is similar to chronic periodontitis in some ways, but the former is characterized by accelerated bone destruction and tooth attachment. Aggressive periodontitis tends to affect younger people and can be treated in the same ways mentioned above, only with a higher likelihood of using extensive surgical debridement paired with strong antibiotics.
To sum up, your periodontist and dentist in North Park will initiate the cleaning process by scraping off the plaque and calculus accumulated on the enamel of the teeth and below the gum line. Several appointments may follow, as some severe periodontitis cases require scaling and debridement to completely eliminate the plaque and tartar that have stuck below the gum line. By using antibiotics like amoxicillin or metronidazole, the regenerative process becomes easier.
Prevention of recurring periodontitis starts with well-maintained oral hygiene. Similar to the treatment for gingivitis, the patient is advised to brush and floss every day, and they may also require a special toothbrush for easier removal of dirt and debris that cling in-between teeth.
Do You Need a Periodontitis Consultation with a North Park Dentist?
If you have symptoms of periodontitis, do not hesitate to give our office a call. We provide periodontitis treatments from one of the best dentists in the North Park area, along with a host of other dental services designed to improve your health and smile.
Contact our office today to schedule an appointment with Dr. Ziols at Smile Innovations!