WHAT IS PERIODONTICS ?

Periodontitis is a disease where there is destruction of tissues supporting the teeth, not giving at all.

Branches of dentistry

The dental profession has a number of different branches, and though a majority of licensed dentists are general practitioners, there are many who choose to specialize in one of these branches. Such professionals must take additional training after receiving their D.D.S. or D.M.D degree; details on training programs will be given in the final section of this article, which is specifically about periodontics.

Periodontics

Periodontics is the branch of dentistry that deals with treatment of the gums and the parts of the jaws that support the teeth. Periodontitis is a disease where there is destruction of tissues supporting the teeth, not giving at all; it will be discussed in the next section.

Periodontitis

As mentioned earlier, periodontitis is a disease where there is destruction of tissues supporting the teeth, not giving at all. It is an advanced stage of gingivitis, or inflammation of the gums. Gingivitis starts when tartar becomes embedded between the teeth and the gums, which thus become inflamed. The disease, if not treated, can develop into periodontitis, which gradually destroys the bony tissue — known as the periodontum — that supports the teeth, causing them to fall out of their sockets. The jawbones, too, may become infected. Gum disease is the chief cause of tooth loss in people under the age of fifty.

Once the affected tissues have been destroyed, they can never be repaired, but dentists can prevent further damage through treatment. Periodontitis is difficult to cure, however, and may involve surgical removal of the damaged tissues and repair of whatever healthy tissues remain. Sometimes, loose teeth may be splinted, or attached, to nearby ones that are still firmly in their sockets, but more often, the loose teeth need to be replaced with prosthetic ones.

Prevention of the disease

Peri-implantitis

Another disease, called peri-implantitis, affects the tissues, both hard and soft, that surround dental implants. Its cause is thought to be the same as that described above for periodontitis. There are gaps between the implant itself and the supporting structure, called the abutment, into which germs from the oral cavity can penetrate. To prevent this disease from occurring, the dentist seals the implant interior spaces.

Gingival grafts

The periodontist also makes gingival grafts of healthy oral tissue to cover areas where periodontitis has exposed the surface of the tooth root. There are several types of these.

Specializing in periodontics

After completing his or her dental degree program, the person who wishes to practice periodontics takes an exam issued by the American Board of Periodontology. If he passes this test, the board grants him diplomat status, and he is now authorized to practice his chosen specialty.

How to find a periodontist in your area

The American Academy of Periodontology maintains a list of those who practice the profession. To find one in the area where you live, go to their website and type in the ZIP code of your community. Alternatively, if you happen to know the last name of the dentist you are seeking, you can type in his or her last name, city, state and area code. Since the academy also includes periodontists from other countries, you may find a foreign one by last name and nationality.