Periodontics is the branch of dentistry that deals with the periodontium. A Periodontist is a dentist whose prime area of interest is the periodontium. The periodontium simply means the tissue covering and supporting the tooth. The periodontium includes the gingiva, periodontal ligaments, root cementum, and the supporting alveolar bone.
Infection is the most common cause affecting the periodontium. These infections are caused by the accumulation of hard deposits clinging to the teeth. The deposits are saturated with disease causing bacteria resulting in the infection of tissues, surrounding and supporting the teeth. The consequence of these infections ranges from simple bleeding gums to early loss of teeth.
The role of a Periodontist is to prevent the occurrence, if not curb the actual spread of damage already caused by the infection. He specializes in a variety of surgical and non-surgical treatment to fulfill this role. Non-surgical periodontal treatment is appropriate in the early and moderate stages of periodontal disease, otherwise known as periodontitis. If there is a great deal of bone loss, a situation known as moderate to advanced periodontitis, then surgical periodontal treatment is required.
Some of the common treatment modalities carried out by the periodontists are
>> Scaling and root planning
>> Curettage
>> Gum surgeries
>> Cosmetic gum surgeries
>> Alveolar bone Surgeries
Periodontal disease is a chronic problem. Without ongoing treatment the infection and disease will reoccur, and each time it does, more bone can be lost, until eventually the teeth become loose and need to be removed. Therefore it is essential to visit the dentist with the right kind of training in this field for best results.
