Periodontology covers a very wide range, from simple gum inflammations to serious health problems such as bone loss and tooth loss. Gum diseases have symptoms that can be easily noticed by everyone, such as gum bleeding or teeth starting to loosen.
Seeing a periodontology specialist regularly is of great importance for the early diagnosis of the disease and for bringing it under control easily.
What is Periodontology?
Periodontology deals with diseases that occur in the gums and the bones surrounding the roots of the teeth. In simpler terms, periodontology is the main branch of dentistry that focuses on gum diseases. Its primary goal is to prevent the progression of inflammation and similar problems in the teeth and gums, and to stop them from leading to more serious issues, including tooth loss.
For periodontology specialists, diagnosis, treatment, and the preservation of healthy structures are essential.
The most common periodontal diseases are gingivitis and periodontitis. Gingivitis refers to inflammation of the soft tissues surrounding the gums, while periodontitis is the progression of this inflammation into the bone tissue, causing bone destruction. At this stage, periodontology steps in to stop the disease and bring it under control. Of course, alongside periodontal treatment, it is also crucial for the patient to maintain good oral hygiene and support their own oral health.
Symptoms of Periodontal Diseases
Depending on the patient’s physiology and the severity of the disease, symptoms can vary. The most common symptoms include:
- Gum bleeding,
- Gum tenderness, swelling, or redness,
- Gums separating from the teeth,
- Pus discharge between the teeth and gums,
- Teeth starting to loosen or drift apart,
- Misalignment of the upper and lower teeth,
- Bad breath,
- Spontaneous gum bleeding during the day,
- Gum recession.
These symptoms can appear individually or occur in combination.
Treatment Process in Periodontology
Even if there are no visible problems with the teeth or gums, it is essential for individuals to undergo dental check-ups every 3 to 6 months to ensure early diagnosis and easy management of diseases.
The first step in periodontology is diagnosis.
The patient’s history is taken, a physical examination is performed, and in some cases, X-rays or radiographic evaluations may be required. During this stage, informing the patient about the process and encouraging them to actively participate in protecting their oral health is of great importance, as this significantly improves treatment outcomes.
Following diagnosis, treatment may include:
- Professional cleaning with special instruments. In some cases, deep cleaning under local anesthesia may be necessary to remove tartar buildup in gum pockets and around tooth roots.
- In cases of acute gum infections, antibiotic treatment and antibacterial mouth rinses are prescribed.
- Surgical treatment may be performed, where the gums are lifted from the bone tissue to remove all inflammation. If necessary, bone grafts or bone powder may be used to reattach the gums to the bone tissue. All procedures are performed under local anesthesia.
- To prevent recurrence, patients are advised to attend follow-up check-ups every 3 to 6 months.
At the end of the treatment process, the success of the therapy largely depends on the patient’s commitment to maintaining oral hygiene and supporting the treatment.
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