How is periodontitis treated at the dentist?

Written by Li Bao Hua

Dentistry

Updated on September 09, 2024

00:00

00:00

The treatment plan for periodontitis and caries requires first taking an X-ray to understand the severity of the periodontitis. If the periodontitis is not severe and is merely inflammation of the gum tissue, characterized by red, swollen gums, pus discharge, or bleeding, this situation can be addressed by dental cleaning to remove local irritants, followed by medicated rinsing around the gums to improve inflammation. If the periodontitis is more severe, involving absorption of the alveolar bone, then guided bone regeneration procedures are necessary. After basic treatment of the periodontitis, the teeth enter a maintenance phase, requiring regular follow-up visits.

Other Voices

home-news-image

Written by Li Bao Hua

Dentistry

1min 1sec

home-news-image

Is cleaning teeth useful for periodontitis?

Periodontal cleaning is useful and necessary for gum disease. Cleaning for periodontal disease is a basic treatment method. Gum disease results from the progression and severity of gingivitis, which occurs when teeth are not adequately cleaned after brushing or mouth rinsing is not done promptly after eating. Food residues or plaque accumulate around the gums, causing prolonged irritation, congestion in the gum tissues, or bleeding during eating, which are also the earliest symptoms of gingivitis. This can further lead to the formation of tartar, which attaches to the root surfaces above and below the gums, known as supragingival and subgingival tartar, respectively. Subgingival tartar poses a greater risk as it may lead to the resorption of the alveolar bone. Therefore, it is essential to remove local irritants through dental cleaning in treating periodontitis, followed by subsequent treatments.

home-news-image

Written by Li Bao Hua

Dentistry

51sec

home-news-image

What should I do if my front tooth falls out due to periodontitis?

Periodontitis has caused the loss of a front tooth, necessitating prompt dental restoration. After the loss of a front tooth due to periodontitis, it's important first to check whether there has been any resorption of the alveolar bone. If the alveolar bone is normal and shows no signs of inflammatory resorption, dental restoration can proceed directly. If the condition of the alveolar bone is favorable, an implant can be considered. During implantation, a single tooth is implanted, allowing for direct restoration with a porcelain crown without the need to grind the adjacent healthy teeth. However, if opting for a bridge, it may be necessary to grind the adjacent healthy teeth to support the bridge, meaning that at least three teeth would need to be involved in the restoration.

home-news-image

Written by Li Cui

Dentistry

48sec

home-news-image

Can third-degree periodontitis be cured?

Periodontal disease is generally caused by long-term accumulation of bacteria, dental calculus, and plaque, which gradually stimulates chronic inflammation. Periodontal disease leads to inflammation around the tooth roots and results in the resorption of the alveolar bone, eventually causing the teeth to loosen and fall out. It is recommended that patients with periodontitis seek timely treatment to prevent the condition from worsening, which could complicate the treatment process. For those diagnosed with stage three periodontitis, treatment is generally still effective. Therefore, it is advised that patients promptly visit a hospital and follow the specific treatment methods prescribed by their doctor to effectively treat periodontitis.

home-news-image

Written by Li Bao Hua

Dentistry

56sec

home-news-image

Does periodontitis require tooth extraction?

Whether tooth extraction is needed for periodontitis depends on the severity of the inflammation. If the periodontitis is not severe, with no absorption of the alveolar bone, and there is only simple inflammation of the gums, it typically manifests as gum bleeding or bleeding when brushing teeth. There can be dental soft plaque around the gums, or dental plaque irritates and causes the gums to become red, swollen, and pus may ooze. In this case, scaling can be done to remove local irritants, followed by rinsing and medicating around the teeth. This can effectively control the progression of periodontitis and does not require tooth extraction. However, if it causes absorption of the alveolar bone and significant loosening of the teeth, tooth extraction may be necessary.

home-news-image

Written by Li Bao Hua

Dentistry

1min 1sec

home-news-image

What are the symptoms of periodontitis?

Periodontitis stems from the further development of gingivitis, sharing many symptoms, including gum redness, congestion, and pain when eating. Additionally, periodontitis can cause teeth to become loose, and in severe cases, lead to tooth loss. There is also the presence of a periodontal ligament condition. Generally, gingivitis corresponds to a pseudo periodontal ligament while periodontitis involves the actual periodontal ligament due to the resorption of the alveolar bone—this distinction is crucial in differentiating gingivitis from periodontitis. Periodontitis features true periodontal ligament formation concurrent with the resorption of the jawbone. Dietary precautions for periodontitis include avoiding hard foods and not chewing hard objects to prevent resorption of the alveolar bone in the root apex area.