Periodontal Disease

Periodontitis is a serious gum and bone disease affecting 50 million Americans. It's responsible for 90% of all tooth loss, yet it's 100% PREVENTABLE

HOW PERIODONTITIS GETS STARTED

BACTERIA grow on teeth in a sticky film called PLAQUE

BACTERIA produce toxins & acid waste products that irritate gum & bone

MINERALS in saliva harden plaque & attach it firmly to teeth as TARTAR or CALCULUS (can only be removed by dental professional)

ENZYMES produced by the body (collagenase) destroy connective tissue in response to the presence of bacterial waste products.

PERIODONTAL DISEASE: HOW IT PROGRESSES

Healthy Gums

Normal healthy gums are firm, snug and pink. None of the symptoms below are present.

Regular professional cleaning and good home care will keep your gums in this healthy condition.

Gingivitis

Bacteria & plaque cause the gums to become inflamed and bleed easily.

Plaque gets into the space between the gum & the tooth, but there's still time to prevent the gum from detaching and forming "pockets".

Professional cleaning & good home care are usually enough to restore healthy gums, with no permanent damage.

Periodontitis

High levels of bacteria initiate release of tissue-destroying enzymes.

These enzymes start a process which results in deeper "pockets" & bone loss.

Treatment is aimed at stopping further damage & reversing the progression of the disease.

Advanced Periodontitis

Reversible to some extent, it is too late to fully restore teeth & gums.

Bacteria & enzymes have caused the gums to degrade further, deepening the pockets and destroying tissue & bone.

At this stage, treatment is critical to avoid losing teeth.

PERIODONTAL DISEASE: HOW IT'S TREATED & OTHER DENTAL SECRETS!

Disrupting the bacterial plaque at least ONCE every 24 hours doesn't allow the bacterial toxins & acid waste products enough contact with the gums and teeth to cause damage.

BRUSHING & FLOSSING - correctly this is the most effective preventive treatment.

SCALING, ROOT PLANING & GINGIVAL CURRETTAGE - the hygienist removes hard deposits from the root surfaces below the gumline and diseased epithelium from the gum tissues. This is done with local anesthesia and is non-surgical

ANTIMICROBIAL TREATMENTS - a variety of new rinses & gels that help fight infection.

ENZYME SUPPRESSION - NEW THERAPY using 20 mg. of Doxycycline hyclate (Periostat) twice a day. This helps stop enzymes from attacking gums and bone and is very effective when combined with scaling, root planing & currettage. (See www.collagenex.com for more information)

SURGERY - removal of diseased tissues/grafting gum & bone. This removes hiding places for bacterial plaque making it easier to clean your teeth each day.

PROFESSIONAL SUPPORT - you should determine what frequency you should be seen and maintain regular follow ups with your periodontist, regular dentist and hygienist. Remember that your periodontist does not look at your teeth for decay and tooth related problems. You should alternate your cleaning between your periodontist and regular dentist if you need to be seen by both.

Reprinted with permission of Collagenex Pharmaceuticals, Inc