Skip to main content

What is periodontitis?

Periodontitis is defined as the irreversible inflammation and destruction of the tissues that support the teeth.

The inflammation can cause your gums to recede over time. Recession occurs not only on the outside but also on the inside, where the gum meets the tooth, which in turn forms pockets where bacteria can develop and accumulate and further accelerate the disease process.

Gum problems usually begin without any initial symptoms, so it is vital to have both your teeth and gums checked regularly.

Once problems start, they can progress at an increased rate, with damage occurring over a relatively short period of time.

What is periodontal treatment?

Periodontal treatment is a dental procedure during which the teeth are cleaned above and below the gums. The intended benefits of the procedure include reducing or stopping active periodontal disease (also called gum disease), aiming to prevent the loss of teeth.

A periodontist (gum specialist) is a dentist who specializes in diagnosing, treating, and managing periodontal disease. They are able to treat complex periodontal disease surgically or non-surgically, as well as other gum-related treatments such as gum grafts, crown lengthening, and regenerative procedures.

A dental hygienist is a dental care professional who is highly skilled in managing gum care. They often work under the prescription of a dentist or specialist to carry out the treatments described above.

Your dentist will recommend whether you should see a periodontist or hygienist. Often, the two will work in collaboration with each other.

×

On this website we use first or third-party tools that store small files on your device. Cookies are normally used to allow the site to run properly, to generate navigation usage reports and to suitable advertise our services/products. We can directly use technical cookies, but you have the right to choose whether or not to enable statistical and profiling cookies. Enabling these cookies, you help us to offer you a better experience.