Welcome To Medent Dental Clinic
What Is Periodontics Dentistry?
Periodontics is a specialty of aesthetic and functional dentistry which includes all the care given to the supporting tissues of the tooth (periodontium). It is therefore a specialization that helps prevent or treat diseases of the gum, such as gingivitis or periodontitis. In fact, it is estimated that nearly 50% of the North American population will have some form of periodontal disease.
When should you consult a periodontist?
The most common reason for seeing a periodontist is for treatment of periodontal disease – this is how gum disease is called – when it is in its early stages. You should see a periodontist when you notice any of the following symptoms, especially if you have other pre-existing health problems:
- Bleeding when brushing or flossing.
- Redness or inflammation of the gums.
- Bad taste in the mouth or bad breath.
- Abscess.
- Looseness of teeth.
- Displacement of teeth.
- Loss of teeth.
The role of the periodontist is to treat mild or more serious periodontal disease. The most common problems that the periodontist treats are:
- Gingivitis: Mild inflammation of the gums causing pain and bleeding.
- Mild or severe periodontitis: When pockets 4 to 6 mm deep have formed between teeth and soft tissue.
- Advanced periodontitis: When the pockets between the soft tissues and the teeth grow larger than 6 mm, the bone loss is considerable and the teeth begin to move.
- Missing Teeth: Loss of teeth is usually a sign of loss of bone mass; the teeth must then be hung up on the jaw in order to make them functional again.
What can be corrected by orthodontics?
- Inadequate spaces between teeth or dental overlap.
- Rotating teeth.
- Teeth too advanced or set back.
- A smile that shows too much of the gum.
- The difficulty of closing the lips completely when at rest.
- The lack of harmony between the upper and lower jaws: one jaw too far forward or back from the other.
- The shape of the face: a chin too far forward or back, a face too elongated or an asymmetry of the mouth.
The earlier periodontal disease is detected, the easier it is to treat. So don’t hesitate to make an appointment with the periodontist as soon as you notice the first symptoms.
What types of treatment does the periodontist offer?
The periodontist will use both surgical and non-surgical procedures.
Non-surgical treatments include curettage and root resurfacing, a deep cleaning procedure under anesthesia. During this procedure, the periodontist will remove the plaque and tartar that have formed above and on the edges of the gums. Then, it smooths and eliminates the roughness present on the roots. This gives the gums a perfectly clean surface and can thus attach to your teeth.
In the more complex cases, your periodontist may perform surgery to restore the gums and oral support structures. For example, he may perform periodontal surgery with a flap, or gingivectomy, pocket reduction surgery, soft tissue grafts, bone grafts or guided regeneration.
What to expect during the first consultation?
A periodontist can also tell you about all of the treatment options available to you, so that you can fully understand the whole process. During your visit, the periodontist will review all of your medical and health history. He will ask you what medications you are taking and will also be able to see if any illnesses or health problems that affect you may have an effect on the periodontal care he will give you – such as diabetes or cardiovascular disease. If you are pregnant, the periodontist will also adapt his approach.
During the consultation, he will examine your gums to see if there is recession, if your jaws are properly aligned, if your teeth are loose or if they are missing. Using a probe, he will measure the depth of the pockets between your teeth and your gums to assess their health and condition. Finally, the periodontist will take an x-ray to assess your oral health below the gum line.
By knowing the difference between a periodontist and a dentist, you will be better able to maintain your oral health and will know faster if you need to see this healthcare professional.
Do you want to recover the health of your gums and/or jaw bones?
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MEDENT is a dental clinic, specialized in treatments of dental and oral disorders with the ultimate in advanced diagnostics.
We offer comprehensive services from all fields of dentistry. In addition to high-end dental equipment, all services are provided in a comfortable, luxury environment.