1 Hospitals For Periodontal Gum Disease In Massachusetts

Periodontal Gum Disease (click for worldwide facilities list): Periodontal (gum) diseases, including gingivitis and periodontitis, are serious infections that, left untreated, can lead to tooth loss. Periodontal disease is a chronic bacterial infection that affects the gums and bone supporting the teeth. Periodontal disease can affect one tooth or many teeth. It begins when the bacteria in plaque (the sticky, colorless film that constantly forms on your teeth) causes the gums to become inflamed.

Gingivitis is the mildest form of periodontal disease. It causes the gums to become red, swollen, and bleed easily. There is usually little or no discomfort at this stage. Gingivitis is often caused by inadequate oral hygiene. Gingivitis is reversible with professional treatment and good oral home care.

Untreated gingivitis can advance to periodontitis. With time, plaque can spread and grow below the gum line. There are many forms of periodontitis. The most common ones include:
Aggressive periodontitis most common features include rapid attachment loss and bone destruction and familial aggregation.
Chronic periodontitis is the most frequently occurring form of periodontitis and is characterized by pocket formation and/or recession of the gingiva. It is prevalent in adults, but can occur at any age. Periodontitis as a manifestation of systemic diseases. Systemic diseases such as heart disease, respiratory disease, and diabetes are associated with this form of periodontitis.
Necrotizing periodontal diseases is an infection characterized by necrosis of gingival tissues, periodontal ligament and alveolar bone.

Some of the procedures that periodontists use to treat patients diagnosed with a periodontal (gum) disease are non-surgical treatments such as scaling and root planing (a careful cleaning of the root surfaces to remove plaque and calculus [tartar] from deep periodontal pockets and to smooth the tooth root to remove bacterial toxins), followed by adjunctive therapy such as local delivery antimicrobials and host modulation, as needed on a case-by-case basis.

Periodontal surgery is necessary when your periodontist determines that the tissue around your teeth is unhealthy and cannot be repaired with non-surgical treatment.
Four types of surgical treatments most commonly prescribed are Pocket reduction procedures, regenerative procedures, crown lengthening, and soft tissue grafts.

In addition to procedures to treat periodontal disease, many periodontists also perform cosmetic procedures to enhance your smile. Oftentimes, patients who pursue cosmetic procedures notice improved function as well.

http://www.perio.org/consumer/2a.html

Also known as: Gingivitis/Periodontitis