Periodontology

An independent specialty within dentistry dealing with the diseases and treatment of the periodontium (the tooth-supporting tissues).

Periodontology provides treatment options ranging from resolving simple gingivitis to retaining hopeless teeth that have become mobile due to the loss of supporting tissues.

The main cause of gingivitis and periodontitis is dental plaque, to which several other external and systemic risk factors can be added. The periodontist's task is primarily to eliminate the inflammation and the recession that accompanies it, as well as to correct the destroyed periodontal tissues and promote their regeneration.

The most conspicuous inflammation-sustaining factor is tartar. Calcified dental plaque adheres to the tooth so strongly that it cannot be removed by simple brushing — only a dentist or dental hygienist can clean it off properly.

• Gum bleeding, gum swelling, red-purple colour
• Pain
• Food impaction
• Discharge
• Pathological gum recession and the tooth necks becoming visible
• Tooth-neck sensitivity
• Teeth becoming mobile, migrated or displaced
• Unpleasant breath odour

1. 1Acquired causes: inadequate oral hygiene, a lot of plaque and tartar, and improper brushing technique, even excessively forceful brushing that injures the gums.
2. 2Local irritating factors: ill-fitting restorations, crowns and fillings with protruding margins can cause a lot of damage to the periodontal tissues.
3. 3External factors: certain “calcium-channel blocker” heart medications, anti-epileptic drugs, contraceptives and medications accompanying organ transplantation can harm the periodontium.
4. 4Hereditary factors: certain gene polymorphisms can reduce the periodontium's ability to defend against infections.

We group them based on the system established by the American Association of Periodontology:

1. 1Diseases of the gums — plaque-induced and non-plaque-induced gum diseases
2. 2Chronic periodontitis
3. 3Aggressive periodontitis
4. 4Periodontal diseases resulting from systemic illness
5. 5Necrotizing gingivitis (NUG) and periodontitis (NUP)
6. 6Periodontal abscesses
7. 7Combined endo-periodontal lesions
8. 8Developmental disorders and related conditions