Read more about this disease, some with Classification – Types – Signs and symptoms – Genetics – Pathophysiology – Diagnosis – Screening – Prevention – Treatment and management – Cures and much more, some including pictures and video when available.
Periodontitis (peri = around, odont = tooth, -itis = inflammation) refers to a number of inflammatory diseases affecting the periodontium — that is, the tissues that surround and support the teeth. Periodontitis involves progressive loss of the alveolar bone around the teeth, and if left untreated, can lead to the loosening and subsequent loss of teeth. Periodontitis is caused by a convergence of bacteria that adhere to and grow on the tooth’s surfaces, along with an overly aggressive immune response against these bacteria. A diagnosis of periodontitis is established by inspecting the soft gum tissues around the teeth with a probe and radiographs by visual analysis, to determine the amount of bone loss around the teeth. Specialists in the treatment of periodontitis are periodontists; their field is known as “periodontology” and “periodontics”.
Although the different forms of periodontitis are all caused by bacterial infections, a variety of factors affect the severity of the disease. Important “risk factors” include smoking, poorly-controlled diabetes, and inherited (genetic) susceptibility.[1] This genetic susceptibility to destructive periodontal disease can now be tested with the PST test, however the efficacy of this test remains to be studied in a long-term peer-reviewed prospective trials.
Periodontitis is very common, and is widely regarded as the second most common disease worldwide, after dental decay, and in the United States has a prevalence of 30-50% of the population, but only about 10% have severe forms.
Studies found association between ethnic origin and periodontal diseases. In the USA, higher prevalence of periodontal disease was observed among African-American individuals in comparison to Latin individuals as well as non-Hispanic Caucasian people. In Israeli population, individuals of Yemenite, North-African, Asian, or Mediterranean origin have higher prevalence of periodontal disease than individuals from Israeli or European descent.[1] This could be attributed to genetic predisposition as well as social-cultural-behavioral differences (eg., smoking, oral hygiene, access to dental treatment) between populations.[1]
Periodontitis is an inflammation of the periodontium—the tissues that support the teeth in the mouth. The periodontium consists of four tissues:
If left untreated, periodontitis causes progressive, irreversible bone loss around teeth, looseness of the teeth and eventual tooth loss. Periodontitis is a very common disease affecting approximately 50% of U.S. adults over the age of 30 years. Periodontitis is thought to occur in people who have preexisting gingivitis — an inflammation that is limited to the soft tissues surrounding the tooth and does not yet affect the alveolar bone.
The primary etiology, or cause, of gingivitis is the accumulation of a bacterial matrix at the gum line, called dental plaque. Other contributors are poor nutrition and underlying medical issues such as diabetes. A double blind study showed a supplement that decreased pocket depth and bleeding. New FDA-approved finger nick tests are being used in dental offices to identify and screen patients for possible contributory causes of gum disease such as diabetes.In some people, gingivitis progresses to periodontitis – with the destruction of the gingival fibers, the gum tissues separate from the tooth and deepened sulcus, called a periodontal pocket. Subgingival bacteria (those that exist under the gum line) colonize the periodontal pockets and cause further inflammation in the gum tissues and progressive bone loss. Examples of secondary etiology would be those things that, by definition, cause plaque accumulation, such as restoration overhangs and root proximity.
If left undisturbed, bacterial plaque calcifies to form calculus, which is commonly called tartar. Calculus above and below the gum line must be removed completely by the dental hygienist or dentist to treat gingivitis and periodontitis. Although the primary cause of both gingivitis and periodontitis is the bacterial plaque that adheres to the tooth surface, there are many other modifying factors. A very strong risk factor is one’s genetic susceptibility. Several conditions and diseases, including Down syndrome, diabetes, and other diseases that affect one’s resistance to infection also increase susceptibility to periodontitis.
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