| What is Periodontal Disease? |
Periodontal disease is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults. If left
untreated this serious gum and bone infection of the teeth can lead to tooth
loss, along with surrounding gum tissue; including the jaw bone.
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| Causes of Periodontal
Disease |
The main cause of periodontal disease is bacterial plaque, a sticky, colorless
film that constantly forms on your teeth. However, several factors contribute to
the risk of periodontal disease.
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1. Smoking/Tobacco Use
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It is a widely accepted fact that tobacco use is linked with many serious
illnesses such as cancer, lung disease and heart disease, as well as numerous
other health problems. What you may not know is that tobacco users are also at
an increased risk for periodontal disease. In fact, recent studies have shown
that tobacco use may be one of the most significant risk factors in the
development and progression of periodontal disease.
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| 2. Genetics |
Research proves that up the 30% of the population may be
genetically susceptible to gum disease. Despite aggressive oral care habits,
these people may be six times more likely to develop periodontal disease.
Identifying these people with genetic testing before signs of the disease become
apparent and receiving early treatment may play an important role in keeping
their teeth healthy for a lifetime.
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| 3. Pregnancy and Puberty |
Brushing and flossing daily, a healthy diet and regular exercise are all
important to living a healthy lifestyle and staying in shape. During puberty,
menstruation, pregnancy or menopause, a woman requires special health needs as
the body experiences hormonal changes. These changes can affect the tissues of
body; including the gums. The gums can become sensitive and react strongly to
hormonal fluctuations, causing a woman to become more susceptible to gum
disease. Additionally, recent studies suggest that pregnant women with gum
disease are seven times more likely to deliver preterm, low birth weight babies.
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| 4. Stress |
Stress is linked to many serious conditions such as hypertension, cancer and
numerous other health problems. What you may not know is that stress is also a
risk factor for periodontal disease. Research demonstrates that stress can make
it more difficult for the body to fight off infection, including periodontal
diseases.
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| 5. Medication |
Drugs such as oral contraceptives, anti-depressants and certain heart medicines
can affect oral health. In the same way you notify your pharmacist and other
health care providers of all the medications you are taking, and any changes in
your overall health, you should also inform your dental care provider of such
information.
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| 6. Clenching or Grinding of the Teeth |
Clenching or grinding the teeth can put excessive force on the supporting
tissues of the teeth and may speed up the rate at with these periodontal tissues
deteriorate. If you feel tension or tightness in the jaws after sleeping or in a
high stress situation, special attention must be paid to facilitate this
condition.
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| 7. Diabetes |
Diabetes is a disease that causes altered levels of sugar in the blood. Diabetes
develops from either a deficiency in insulin production (a hormone that is the
key component of the body's ability to use blood sugars) or the body's inability
to use insulin correctly. According to the American Diabetes Association,
approximately 16 million Americans have diabetes. However, more than half of
those with diabetes have not been diagnosed. Those that are diabetic are at
higher risk for developing infections, including periodontal disease. The
infection caused by the disease can impair the ability to process and/or utilize
insulin, which may cause the diabetes to become more difficult to control and
the infection to be more sever than a non-diabetic.
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| 8. Poor Nutrition |
A diet low in important nutrients can compromise the body's immune system and
make it harder for the body to fight off infection. Because periodontal disease
is a serious infection, poor nutrition can worsen the condition of the gums.
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| 9. Other Systematic Diseases |
Disease that interferes with the body's immune system may worsen the conditions
of the gums.
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| Symptoms |
Bleeding, itching gums and inflammation are some of the symptoms of typical
periodontal disease. As the diseases develop, one can feel pain of the teeth
while chewing, as well as a loose, shaky feeling which leads to tooth loss.
Though periodontal disease may seem to have no severe symptoms at first,
unattended, the infection can become very serious with time.
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| Types |
| Gigivitis |
The most common and the mildest types of periodontal disease. It causes the gums
to become red and swollen, as well as bleed easily. Because there is only little
discomfort at this stage, the symptoms are frequently ignored.
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| Periodontitis |
| Usually occurs among the age of 40. It takes place where the infection is in
periodontal tissue (gum tissue) and jawbone. |
Mild
Periodontits: Severe Periodontitis
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| Chronic Periodontitis |
It is a result of inflammation along with supporting tissues of the teeth,
progressive attachment and bone loss. It is characterized by pocket formation
and/or recession of gum. If untreated may lead to teeth loss.
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| Treatment of Periodontal
Disease |
If you are diagnosed with periodontal disease, Dr. Shin may recommend gum
treatment including Scaling & Root Planning or Periodontal Surgery (Gum
Surgery). Periodontal surgery is necessary if it is determined that the tissue
around the teeth are unhealthy and cannot be repaired with nonsurgical treatment
alone. The following are the four types of surgical treatments most commonly
performed.
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| Pocket Depth Reduction (Osseous Surgery) |
The bone and gum tissue should fit snugly around the teeth, like a turtleneck
around your neck. For those diagnosed with periodontal disease, the supporting
tissue and bone is destroyed forming 'pockets' around the teeth. Over time these
pockets become deeper, providing a larger space for bacteria to live. As
bacteria develops around the teeth, they can accumulate and advance under the
gum tissue. These deep pockets collect even more noxious bacteria resulting in
further bone and tissue loss. Eventually, if too much bone is lost, the teeth
will need to be extracted or comes out by itself with severe infection. If Dr.
Shin has measured the depth of the pocket(s) and deems it necessary, a pocket
reduction procedure is recommended because the depth of the pockets cannot be
fixed with daily at-home oral hygiene. During this procedure, Dr. Shin will fold
back the gum tissue and removes the disease causing bacteria before securing the
tissue back into place. In some cases, irregular surfaces of the damaged bone
are smoothed to limit areas where disease-causing bacteria can hide. This allows
the gum tissue to better reattach to healthy bone.
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| What are the Benefits of this Procedure? |
Reducing pocket depth and eliminating existing bacteria are important to prevent
damage caused by the progression of periodontal disease and to help maintain a
healthy smile. Eliminating bacteria alone may not be sufficient to prevent
disease recurrence. Deeper pockets are more difficult for you and your dental
care professional to clean, so it is important for that a patient have deep
pockets reduced. Reduced pockets and a combination of daily oral hygiene and
professional maintenance care increase your chances of keeping your natural
teeth - and decrease the chance of serious health problems associated with
periodontal disease.
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| Regeneration |
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Dr. Shin may recommend a regenerative procedure when the bone supporting the
teeth have been destroyed. These procedures can reverse some of the damage by
regenerating lost bone and tissue. During this procedure, all the calculus
(disease-causing bacteria) will be removed before the regeneration treatment.
Once the surgical area is cleaned, the damaged tissue can be repaired by adding
a graft; such as membranes, bone grafts and tissue stimulating proteins. This
encourages your body’s natural ability to regenerate bone and tissue. There are
many options to enhance support for your teeth and to restore your bone to a
healthy level. Dr. Shin will discuss your best options with you.
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| What are the benefits of this procedure? |
Eliminating existing bacteria and regenerating the bone and tissue helps to
reduce pocket depth and repair damage caused by the progression of periodontal
disease. A combination of daily oral hygiene, along with professional
maintenance, will increase the chances of keeping your natural teeth and
decrease the chances of serious health problems associated with periodontal
disease.
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