Periodontic dentistry

Periodontic dentistry is concerned with treating gum disease and gum problems.

The term "periodontal disease" or "gum disease" refers gingivitis and periodontitis. Gingivitis is an inflammatory condition of the gingiva caused by factors such as smoking, certain drugs, hormonal changes from puberty and pregnancy or influenced by the individual's immune and inflammatory response. Periodontitis follows after gingivitis that involves the destruction of the supporting structure of the teeth. If left untreated, periodontitis can causes tooth loss, mouth odor or halitosis.

Periodontal disease is more commonly known as gum disease and was referred to as pyorrhea in the old days. It is a progressive inflammatory disease of the gingival and the surrounding tissue (bone) around the teeth. Periodontal disease is the number one cause of tooth loss after the age of 30 and it is believed that around 80% of the population above the age of 30 may suffer from this disease, with varying degrees of severity.

It is usually painless and is mainly caused by plaque although pregnancy, diabetes, epilepsy, and such medications as chemotherapy, medication prescribed for heart problems, birth control pills, and antidepressants can all make you more susceptible to gingivitis which is one of the more common forms of periodontal disease.

The range of treatments in periodontic dentistry includes:

1. Deep cleaning and root planning involves is cleaning beneath the gum line in either quadrants or around the tooth area commonly used in treating gingivitis and periodontosis.
2. Aesthetic gingivectomy aims to contour the gum line in improving and giving symmetry to the front smile. Gingivectomy is normally done in treating gummy smiles whereby excessive gums are shaped.
3. Esthetic periodontal crown-lengthening surgery is usually performed to change the length or dimension of front teeth in optimizing the esthetic outcome of treatment with new crown or veneers restorations.
4. Gingival grafting is done in creating thick, tough gum tissue (called "attached gingiva") which aims to prevent further recession, and in certain cases cover existing recession. Gingival grafting is normally done with the treatment of recession as their primary objective relative to esthetic reasons.
5. Bone grafting involves placing bone materials in treating deep pockets in gingiva or creating bone density during dental implant treatment.