What is periodontitis?
Periodontitis is a disease of the gums. If gums are inflamed for a long time, this can also affect the deeper tissue. Bone loss can occur as well as lose connective tissue attachments. If this happens, you speak of periodontitis. Periodontitis is therefore not the same as a superficial inflammation of the gums, but is a consequence of a prolonged inflammation of the gums.
The gingivitis can be treated and healed, but lost bone and connective tissue attachments can not be made again. It is therefore important to immediately intervene if you notice that you have gum disease.
Cause of periodontitis
Periodontitis often results from a prolonged gum disease. Ultimately, many factors are involved in the development of periodontitis such as:
- To smoke.
- Poor oral hygiene.
- Genetic background.
- Teeth grinding.
- Stress.
- Diabetes.
- Pregnancy or transition.
- AIDS and treatments for AIDS.
- Cancer and cancer treatments.
- A bad balance of oral bacteria where the harmful bacteria get the upper hand.
Symptoms of periodontitis
The most important symptom of periodontitis is that there are deep spaces between the tooth and the gums. These deep spaces, also called pockets, can bleed easily. If you have periodontitis, you may suffer from withdrawn and / or bleeding gums, tender or even sore gums and a bad taste. It can also happen that you see teeth or teeth moving. Furthermore, there is often bad breath in periodontitis. But usually you do not suffer from anything. Unfortunately, the symptoms of periodontitis are not always clear.
The symptoms of periodontitis are therefore not always clear for you to recognize. We specialize in this treatment and see in an instant whether you suffer from this!
Dental plaque and tartar
Gum disease occurs when plaque gets the chance to accumulate, especially between the teeth and along the gumline. The bacteria in the plaque produce substances that irritate the gums and cause an inflammatory response. Dental plaque can also be hardened by the lime salts from the saliva and is then called tartar. Tartar is an ideal place for new plaque and thus new inflammation.
Treatment of periodontitis
If you have periodontitis, we will first try to map out all problems well before treatment. You may be redirected for an overview photo of the jaws. In addition, you get a broad personal explanation about maintenance of your teeth. This is one of the most important parts of your treatment.
Without your cooperation we can not stop periodontitis and our collaboration is therefore essential in the treatment success.
Subsequently, intensive cleaning will take place under the gums. Here the root surface is stripped of the biofilm and tartar and then smoothed. We use the EMS piezon No-pain technique and a salt heater filled with erythritol powder for under the gums. This disturbs the biofilm and ensures removal of plaque and discoloration. With special hand instruments we remove the tartar with extreme precision on the root surface, under the gums. After that, polished with a polishing paste.
Because this treatment can be experienced as painful, we use anesthetic if you wish.
After 6 weeks there is a check and after 3 months a reassessment. Your practitioner checks youre gum again. If the gum disease has stopped and there is a situation where you can properly maintain the gums, then you come back regularly for aftercare.
If the periodontitis is still present, it can be decided to clean again several times, or to switch to a so-called flap operation. During a flap operation, the gums are pushed aside during an operation. Subsequently, inflamed tissue can be removed and the underlying problem areas can be thoroughly cleaned. If the jawbone is affected, the edge of the jaw bone can be smoothed, after which the gums are put back and attached.
Prevention of periodontitis
Prevention is better than cure. That is why it is important to maintain your teeth as well as possible. Nevertheless, you can not always prevent periodontitis. It is important to visit the dentist and / or dental hygienist regularly, where the pocket depths can be measured. In addition, a healthy lifestyle is highly recommended.
Cost of treatment
The costs of this treatment vary widely. After all, every person is different. If you are diagnosed with periodontitis with us, you will always receive a customized budget. With this budget you can possibly check with your health insurer what and how much is reimbursed. Experience shows that the costs vary from 300 euros to 1500 euros.