Periodontics is the study of clinical aspects of the supporting structures of the teeth, which includes the gingiva (gums), alveolar bone (jaw), root cementum, and the periodontal ligament. Periodontics is the branch of dentistry specializing in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of gum disease (periodontal disease) by a periodontist.

Periodontal diseases take on many different forms, but is usually a result of bacterial infections that destroy the attachment fibers and supporting bone that hold the teeth in the mouth. Untreated, it often leads to tooth loss and alveolar bone loss.

• Smoking
• Poorly fitting dental restorations
• Crowded teeth, improper bite alignment
• Clenching or grinding of teeth
• Hormonal changes, including pregnancy, menstruation and menopause
• Systemic diseases, including blood disorders and diabetes
• Medications, including calcium channel blockers and anti-convulsants
• Diet

•     Bleeding gums
•     Pain
•     Abscess (pus oozing from the gums)
•     Foul odor
•     Loose teeth

Periodontal disease can be easily detected by a periodontist during regular examinations. A periodontist is a dentist that specialises in treating diseases of the periodontium. Our periodontist has extensive experience treating pediatric patients requiring periodontal care. This care may involve deep scaling (cleaning) and root planing, gingival (gum) surgery and the placement of dental implants.

Oral Hygiene

If the disease is still in the first stage (gingivitis) your dentist may prescribe an anti-microbial mouth and advise you to brush and floss on a regular basis.

Dental Prophylaxis

Treatment for the prevention of periodontal diseases or other dental diseases by the cleaning of the teeth in the dental office using the procedures of Dental Scaling and Polishing. The treatment may include plaque detection, removal of supra- and subgingival plaque and calculus, application of caries-preventing agents, checking of restorations and prostheses and correcting overhanging margins and proximal contours of restorations, and checking for signs of food impaction.

Scaling

Scaling is procedure that meticulously removes contamination toxins, micro-organisms, plaque, tartar, cementum, dentin that is rough and/or permeated by calculus from around, below and under the gum line down to the bottom of the pocket. This is done to remove biofilm, calculus, and toxin down to the bottom of each periodontal pocket in order to obtain a healing response.

Root Planing

Root planing involves smoothing the root surfaces of your teeth with thin curettes so gum tissue can more firmly reattach to roots that are clean and smooth to prevent tooth loss and sensitivity problems. The procedure makes it more difficult for plaque to accumulate along the root surfaces. Because this procedure goes deeper than a regular cleaning, your mouth may be numbed. The cleaning may take two visits to complete. Depending on the extent of the disease you may need one or more sections (quadrants) of the mouth to be treated with scaling and root planing. Treatment may require one or more visits.

Scaling and Root Planing

Periodontal scaling is a treatment procedure which involves the instrumentation of the crown and root surfaces of the teeth. Plaque, calculus, and stains will be removed from these surfaces. It is performed on patients with periodontal disease and is therapeutic, as apposed to prophylactic and may precede root planning. It is a definitive, meticulous treatment procedure aimed at the removal of cementum and/or dentin that is rough and is possibly permeated by calculus, or even contaminated with toxins or microorganisms. When carried out thoroughly, some unavoidable soft tissue removal occurs. This procedure can be used as a definitive treatment or as part of pre-surgical therapy ("tissue preparation") depending on how far the periodontal disease has advanced. Debriding the root surface is a critical element in establishing periodontal health.