Parodontoligia Studio Dentistico Raschiotti Sanremo

Periodontology

Focuses on the prevention and treatment of periodontal disease affecting the supporting tissues of the tooth: gingiva, bone, periodontal ligament.

What is periodontal disease?

It is a widespread disease that affects 60 percent of the Italian population and is the leading cause of tooth loss in industrialized countries. Periodontal disease, erroneously called pyorrhea, causes a reduction and loss of these tissues, leading to the formation of so-called periodontal pockets, which lead to high tooth mobility and ultimately to tooth loss. It is a chronic disease, so tissue destruction occurs slowly and often without any pain. The signs and symptoms generally can be halitosis, bleeding of the gums, tooth mobility, and tooth sensitivity given by the retraction of the gums.

What are the causes of periodontitis?

To the causes of periodontitis are mainly bacterial, whereby inadequate oral hygiene and the accumulation of plaque and tartar advance the disease. However, the presence of bacteria is not enough to determine its occurrence, which affects more genetically predisposed individuals, smokers, and diabetic patients. Unfortunately, periodontal disease does not only cause oral problems, but it has been shown that, due to the direct passage of bacteria into the bloodstream and constant inflammation, it can increase the risk of ischemic cardiovascular disease, difficulty of glycemic control in diabetic patients, pulmonary disease, and obstetric complications such as premature birth.

How is periodontitis treated?

The treatment of periodontal disease is based, in the first phase, on the removal of plaque and tartar deposits to decrease the bacterial load and in the education of the patient to maintain proper oral hygiene. Subsequently, if this is not sufficient, a second surgical phase is carried out, which is necessary to remove subgingival tartar deposits, to recreate a gingival morphology more suitable for the maintenance of hygiene, and for the reduction or regeneration of pockets that have formed due to disease. In very advanced stages it may be impossible or inadvisable to treat the dental elements, which will have to be extracted and replaced in the appropriate manner, varying from case to case, which today often involves the placement of titanium implants. In these cases, waiting for the teeth to come out on their own would lead to loss of additional bone tissue, compromise of adjacent teeth, and risk of serious complication of any systemic diseases already present. In any case, prevention is the best cure, so it is advisable to have regular checkups with your dentist and professional hygiene sessions every six months.