Periodontics Specialist clarifies doubts.
In an interview with the Brazilian Odontology Association (ABO) the periodontics specialist José Peixoto Ferrão Jr. talked about diagnosis and treatment. Below are excerpts of that interview:
What are periodontal diseases?
The periodontal disease is infectious and inflammatory with a chronic character
and its origin is bacterial. The disease attacks the gingival tissues and the
ones that support the teeth, such as the cement, the periodontal ligament and
the bone.
How we diagnose them?
Its diagnostics is carried out through the periodontal scan, performed in the
whole circumference of the tooth with an instrument called millimeter probe.
The scan may reveal gingival bleeding (the most common symptom) and/or bone
losses, with the formation of periodontal bags. It is important to emphasize:
the gum should never bleed!
What are its consequences?
Inflammation, infection and gingival bleeding. In extreme cases, it can lead to
teeth loss due to bone loss.
Besides that, the bacteria present in the periodontal bags disseminate into the
blood stream. For this reason, this disease is closely related to
cardio-vascular and respiratory problems, diabetes, infertility, early term and
low weight babies, among others.
How is the treatment performed?
It is essential to provide awareness and orientation to the patient regarding
the need of oral hygiene by using the toothbrush and dental floss. The
professional can also perform a procedure to remove the dental calculus (tartar)
and disinfect the affected area. It is root scraping and smoothing that can be
both supra or sub gingival.
In more advanced cases, surgery may be necessary. After the treatment, the
patient must commit to his/hers own oral hygiene and return to the dentist’s
office according to the schedule determined by the periodontics specialist.
During these appointments, the review and maintenance of the condition is
performed to avoid the reoccurrence or progression of the disease.
Source: http://www.abo.org.br/site/#/noticias/2016/10/periodontista-esclarece-duvidas-sobre-o-tema
