Every dentist has knowledge in this field, but periodontists have special additional training.
In Germany, the University of Münster offers a three-year training course to become a specialist in periodontology. The DGParo Specialist in Periodontology® training program is equivalent. There is also a Master's degree course in this field and special courses, so-called curricula, which are run by the dental associations and various institutions.
The periodontium consists of
- the gums,
- the periodontal membrane,
- the root cementum and
- the tooth socket.
Healthy gums are firmly attached to the tooth and are pink in color. However, the gums are often red, swollen and bleed easily. They become loose and pockets form next to the tooth. This inflammation of the gums, which dentists refer to as gingivitis, occurs very frequently.
There is no severe pain at this stage, but treatment should be started as early as possible. Otherwise the inflammation could spread to the jawbone, the root skin and the cementum.
The doctor will then diagnose periodontitis, which is also commonly known as periodontitis.
If the periodontitis progresses untreated, deep gum pockets form and the tooth necks are exposed. This results in sensitivity to heat and cold stimuli. As the disease progresses, the jawbone is also affected, the teeth become loose and can no longer be preserved without in-depth treatment.
However, even in such severe cases, periodontology, in collaboration with oral surgery and implantology, can preserve or restore the functionality of the chewing apparatus.
The periodontist will first determine the severity of the disease. He will check the teeth for plaque and tartar and use a probe to measure the depth of the gum pockets. An X-ray examination provides information about the position of the teeth and the condition of the jawbone.
The actual treatment can consist of several steps.
First, the dentist removes plaque and tartar during a professional tooth cleaning. To do this, he uses a curette to reach the tartar even in deep gum pockets. He often also uses sonic and ultrasonic devices or a laser device. Although this is more comfortable for the patient, it may not reach all plaque in deep gum pockets. This thorough cleaning is sometimes enough to remove the harmful bacteria and allow the gums to heal.
If the pockets are very deep, a minor surgical procedure- open treatment - is necessary. The dentist loosens the gum edges to gain better access and removes diseased tissue.
In some cases, targeted drug treatment is necessary. The pathogen can be identified in the laboratory using a sample. Appropriate antibiotics support the healing process without destroying the oral flora. They are administered orally or placed directly in the pockets.
With these treatment steps, the chances of complete healing and tooth preservation are very high, even with advanced periodontitis.
A plaque containing various microorganisms is deposited on the teeth. Over 700 types of bacteria colonize the oral cavity and are either beneficial or harmless. If this plaque is not removed regularly through careful dental care, it hardens due to the deposition of minerals and tartar forms.
Tartar also creates gum pockets in which bacteria can multiply beyond a normal level. The body's own immune system tries to fight these bacteria. The resulting inflammation also releases substances that destroy the fibers of the periodontium. Regular and thorough tooth cleaning is therefore an important prerequisite for healthy gums.
However, there are other risk factors that contribute to the development of periodontitis. These include
In addition to the use of dental floss and interdental brushes for dental care, regular check-ups and professional cleaning by the dentist are effective periodontitis prophylaxis.
