PERIODONTICS
Periodontics is the dental specialty concerned with the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases of the gums and related tissues that surround and support the teeth. Degeneration or inflammation of these tissues can be caused by various systemic or local diseases or by poor oral hygiene. Most commonly, periodontal diseases are caused by hardened bacteria, called bacterial plaque, which adheres to teeth and destroys periodontal tissue. The most prevalent periodontal disease is periodontitis, inflammation of the periodontium. The first non-surgical step involves a special cleaning called scaling and root planing to remove plaque and tartar deposits.
If scaling and root planing does not solve the problem, surgery may be required. Periodontal surgery removes inflamed tissues surrounding the tooth and reduces the damage to the bone that has formed around the teeth. Surgery allows the dentist to access hard-to-reach areas under the gum and along the roots where tartar and plaque have accumulated. In addition, bone surgery, or bone grafts, may be recommended to rebuild or reshape bone that is destroyed by periodontal disease.
Good oral hygiene is essential to maintaining healthy teeth and gums, and keeping periodontal disease from occurring or becoming more serious.
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