Periodontology - Private Eliz Dent Oral and Dental Health Polyclinic

Periodontology is the branch of dentistry that studies the structure of the soft tissues (periodontal ligament, gingiva) and the hard tissues (bone, cementum) surrounding the teeth, as well as the diseases that occur in these tissues and their treatment.

Healthy gingiva is light pink in color, has an orange peel-like appearance, and fits tightly around the tooth. Even if there is no decay present, poor gingival health can lead to tooth loss in the future.

Gum (gingival) diseases are chronic, bacterial infections occurring in the periodontal tissues that surround your teeth. They do not cause pain unless they reach very advanced stages. Gum diseases are serious infections that can progress in the mouth for many years without causing significant symptoms. If untreated, even healthy teeth without any decay can loosen and fall out due to the loss of supporting tissues. Gum diseases can affect one or several teeth, either together or separately.

The first stage of gum inflammation is called gingivitis. Gingivitis can be reversed with regular oral care and basic tartar cleaning. If simple gingivitis progresses, it can turn into periodontitis, a gum disease that leads to the loss of jawbone.

Causes of Gum Diseases:

The main factor in the development of gum diseases is bacterial plaque. For a healthy mouth, bacterial plaque must be removed through oral hygiene procedures. If plaque is not removed from the teeth, the calcium salts in saliva adhere to the teeth through the plaque, leading to the formation of tartar. If there is no bacterial plaque on the teeth, calcium salts cannot adhere, meaning tartar cannot form.

The byproducts of the bacteria within the plaque affect the periodontal ligament that attaches the tooth to the bone, causing damage to these fibers. The gingiva separates from the tooth, forming a periodontal pocket. Because of this pocket, bacteria can easily move into deeper tissues, and over time, destruction occurs in the bone surrounding the tooth. Smoking, hormonal changes, poor oral hygiene, certain medications, diabetes, improperly made porcelain crowns and bridges that do not match the dental structure, and poor nutrition are among the main causes.

Symptoms of Gum Disease:

1. An itching sensation and discomfort in the teeth
2. Pus or discharge from the gum pocket
3. Gum recession and tooth mobility
4. Black areas at the tooth-gum margin
5. Bad breath and unpleasant taste in the mouth
6. Burning, redness, and swelling of the gums
7. Stress and teeth grinding

The first and most important sign of gum disease is gum bleeding. Healthy gums do not bleed.

Treatment Methods for Gum Disease:

Professional Tartar Cleaning: Tartar and harmful tissues around the teeth and gums are removed. If tartar continuously forms, it is necessary to have a regular tartar cleaning every 6 months.

Curettage (Root Surface Planing): This is performed if tartar and harmful tissues cover the gum pocket and root surface. Tartar and harmful tissues on the tooth’s root surface are removed with a curette or laser, and the gingiva is made to fit tightly around the root surface.

Flap Surgery: If tartar and harmful tissues on the root surface cannot be sufficiently removed by curettage, the area is surgically opened. The harmful tissues and, if necessary, part of the gingiva are removed. If there is severe bone loss in the opened area, artificial bone grafts or bone tissue taken from the patient can be placed during the procedure.

The Importance of Treating Gum Diseases in the Early Stage

The early treatment of gum diseases generally involves tartar cleaning and root surface planing. During these procedures, bacterial deposits and tartar are removed from the pockets around the teeth, and the root surfaces are planed.

Through these procedures, the bacteria and toxins that cause inflammation are removed from the mouth. These measures are usually sufficient to achieve successful results in the early stages of gum diseases.

In more advanced cases, surgical intervention may be necessary. The aim of surgical intervention is to remove tartar and diseased tissues in deep pockets, smooth the root surfaces for healing, and shape the gums for easier cleaning. After treatment, periodontal patients should be monitored periodically.

The only way to maintain the positive results obtained through periodontal treatment is to brush the teeth, use dental floss, and regularly use chemical agents that remove bacterial deposits. Most importantly, you should follow your dentist’s recommendations for check-up intervals.

Is It Possible to Prevent Gum Diseases?

The person themselves plays the most crucial role in preventing gum diseases. Since the main factor is bacterial plaque, the key is to prevent its formation. To prevent plaque formation, teeth should be brushed regularly, and dental floss should be used.

In addition to regular oral care, regular dental check-ups are also vital in preventing gum diseases. It may not be possible to completely prevent plaque formation by brushing alone. In such cases, the plaque and tartar formed should be removed by the dentist. Thanks to dental check-ups, potential problems can be diagnosed at an early stage.