What is actually a periodontal disease?
-And how do I know that I am affected by periodontitis?

Periodontitis treatment

In addition to healthy and well-kept teeth, healthy gums that are free of inflammation are equally important for oral health. The gums should be pale pink, the teeth should be garland-shaped and tightly enclosed and not bleed on contact. If there is an inflammation of the periodontium, dentists speak of periodontitis, also known as periodontosis. This disease of the periodontium is very widespread in the population and is the most common cause of tooth loss even before caries.

Periodontitis is the most common reason for tooth loss before caries!

Statistics show that in Germany more teeth are lost through periodontitis than through caries. Therefore it is very important to avoid an inflammation of the gums. This can be achieved with good oral hygiene and with the help of prophylactic measures which we can carry out in our practice. Regular professional teeth cleaning can significantly reduce the risk of developing periodontitis.

How does periodontitis develop and how can I prevent myself from getting it?

If plaque (tartar) remains at the edge of the gums for a long period of time, the gums are irritated by the bacteria in the plaque. The gums become inflamed, swell, bleed faster and dilate. This allows the bacteria or biofilm to penetrate deeper into the gum pocket and continue to attack the gums. The body reacts to the inflammation by breaking down the bone beneath the gums. This causes the tooth to lose its hold and loosening, in the worst case even the loss of the affected teeth. A hereditary predisposition, hormonal changes (e.g. during pregnancy), stress or nicotine consumption can promote this process.

How does periodontitis treatment work? Which therapies are useful?

In order to prevent it from happening in the first place, it is very important to recognize periodontitis in time. For this reason, Dr. Buchner's dental practice routinely uses a simple and painless procedure (the so-called periodontal screening index) at your check-up appointment, which can help to diagnose periodontitis at an early stage. If periodontitis is present, it is possible to intervene in the inflammatory process with the help of a very gentle, anti-infectious, regenerative periodontitis treatment and thus prevent the imminent loss of teeth. Depending on how advanced the periodontitis is, periodontitis treatment is carried out by prophylactic measures and gentle cleaning of the gum pockets or root surfaces with hand instruments, modern powder jet and ultrasound equipment. In many cases a supportive antibiotic therapy is useful. Since there is a multitude of different periodontal germs and the germ load varies greatly from person to person, the individual germ spectrum is first determined for each patient with the help of a bacterial test in order to be able to combat aggressive periodontal germs in a targeted manner.

An essential component for the success of periodontal disease treatment is regular follow-up in combination with prophylaxis

Following a periodontitis treatment, regular therapy-supporting aftercare and professional dental cleaning is very important to prevent the inflammation of the periodontal apparatus from recurring and to keep your teeth and gums healthy for a lifetime. Feel free to contact us if you have any further questions about periodontitis treatment.