Dental treatments
Periodontitis & Periodontosis
Causes, symptoms and treatment
Periodontitis (often wrongly called “periodontosis”) is a disease of the tooth-supporting tissues. It develops gradually and goes unnoticed for a long time. The first periodontitis symptoms are bleeding gums and bad breath. Left untreated, the disease leads to receding gums, loose teeth and ultimately tooth loss.
Typical Symptoms
Typical symptoms of periodontitis
- Bad breath
- Bleeding gums
- Loose teeth
- Tooth loss
Frequency
- Can occur from the age of 16
- Particularly common from the age of 30
- Around 70% of people over 40 are affected
Periodontitis Causes
The main cause is bacterial deposits (plaque, tartar, concretions) that build up in the gum pockets and spaces between the teeth. At first these lead to mild gum inflammation (gingivitis). If the inflammation is left untreated, the jawbone breaks down over the years, causing the teeth to loosen.
Additional risk factors for periodontitis are:
- Inadequate oral hygiene
- Smoking
- Genetic predisposition
- Diabetes and other general illnesses
Periodontitis Treatment
To stop the disease from progressing, systematic treatment is necessary:
- Professional cleaning & examination
- - Removal of bacterial deposits and tartar (professional teeth cleaning)
- - Examination of the state of inflammation and the individual causes
- Therapy
- - Aim: stop the inflammation & clean the gum pockets
- - Most modern methods: hypersonic instruments & laser technology
- - Prevention of further bone and tissue loss
If bone loss has already occurred, targeted bone and tissue regeneration may be necessary. Modern procedures are available for this to stabilise and preserve the affected teeth in the long term.
Prevention & Long-Term Protection
After successful periodontitis treatment, regular professional teeth cleaning is essential to prevent renewed infection of the gum pockets.
What is Periodontosis?
Periodontosis is – in contrast to periodontitis – not a bacterial inflammation but a non-inflammatory loss of bone. The main cause is overloading of the teeth, e.g. through heavy teeth grinding or uneven loading when chewing.
Examination of Dental Statics
Since periodontosis is often caused by incorrect loading, a thorough analysis of how forces are distributed in the dentition is crucial.
- Our specialists examineTeeth & tooth-supporting tissues
- Jaw joints & muscles
- Functional disorders of the chewing system
This comprehensive examination makes it possible to detect problems early and prevent long-term damage.
Your Dentist in Herne
Specialised in periodontitis treatment
If you suffer from periodontitis symptoms such as bleeding gums or loose teeth, early treatment is crucial. As an experienced dentist in Herne, we offer modern therapies for the lasting treatment of the disease.
Book an appointment – we will advise you individually and comprehensively!
