Who is a periodontist?

A periodontist is a dentist who has received additonal speciality training in the teatment of gum disease.

How is periodontal disease detected?

It is detected with the use of a full mouth set of xrays to determine the level and extent of bone loss around the teeth. Detection also includes a full mouth probing which is a measurement of the depth or distance from the top of the gum line to the bottom of the gum line space around each tooth.

What is periodontal (gum) disease?

Gum disease is an inflammatory process that affects the supporting structures around the teeth. This includes the gum attachment to the teeth and the bone surrounding the teeth. The early stages are characterized by redness and bleeding of the gum tissues. As the disease progresses, it causes a break down of the gum attachment and eventually a loss of the bone. It ultimately can lead to looseness of the teeth, swelling and tooth loss.

What are the signs of periodontal (gum) disease?

As metioned previously, the initial signs are a redness and puffiness of the gum tissues and bleeding of the gums when brushing or flossing the teeth.

Who gets periodontal disease?

Gum diseases can occur at almost any age. In children it is termed juvenile periodontitis. However, it is most common in adults.

What do I do if I think I have gum disease?

Gum disease is easily diagnosed by your dentist. If you think you have gum disease, visit your dentist for an exam. It is more easily treated if diagnosed in its early stages, so don' t wait.

What treatments are available for gum disease?

Depending on the stage of the disease; treatment can range from a thorough cleaning of the teeth and oral hygiene instruction followed by regular home care to a treatment called root planning to gum surgery itself. Antibacterial rinses and placement of antibiotics in the gum spaces as well as oral antibiotics may also be used to supplement treatment.

How is periodontal disease treated?

As mentioned before, treatment can range from a thorough cleaning of the teeth, to root planning which is the smoothing of root surfaces to remove calculus (tartar), to surgery which is done to correct the bone loss and pocketing (excess gum line spaces) around the teeth.