Periodontics deals with the treatment of the gums. The two most common pathologies affecting the gums in the population are GINGIVITIS and PERIODONTITIS. Both diseases develop around our teeth, inflaming the gums. Gingivitis is reversible, it causes inflammation of the gums, bleeding and accumulation of bacterial plaque. Periodontitis, on the other hand, in addition to inflammation of the gums, bleeding and accumulation of bacterial plaque, progresses with bone loss. This loss is not reversible, the lost bone is never recovered and the disease becomes chronic with periods of latency that can last over time and be stable as long as patients suffering from the pathology take care of their daily oral hygiene and periodically attend periodontal control and maintenance.
CAN I LOSE MY TEETH IF I HAVE PERIODONTAL DISEASE?
Clearly yes, the disease progresses in stages, mild, moderate or severe. Active periodontal disease progresses through the different stages until so much bone is lost that the teeth are no longer supported and are eventually lost.
Therefore, treating periodontal disease is vitally important to inactivate the pathology and prevent progression of the disease.
IF I HAVE LOST GUM CAN IT BE REPLACED?
Depending on the case, we can replace lost gum. It consists of outpatient surgery in which sometimes tissue has to be taken from another part of the mouth, for example, from the palate, in order to replace the lost gum.
WHY DO WE NEED TO REPLACE A TOOTH?
The main function of teeth is chewing. When we lose a tooth, chewing and digestion are affected. In addition, the other teeth are overloaded and are more susceptible to fracture, decay and change position. Undoubtedly, when a tooth is lost, the best solution at present is the placement of a dental implant, leaving the neighbouring teeth untouched.
IS THE PLACEMENT OF AN IMPLANT PAINFUL?
The placement of an implant is painless, is performed under local anaesthesia and has a very mild postoperative period provided that the correct technique is used. In patients who are more apprehensive, anxious or who do not wish to undergo the discomfort of surgery, the treatment can be performed under sedation.
STAGES OF IMPLANT PLACEMENT
Normally there are two phases to implant placement: the placement of the “screw” that replaces the root (implant) and secondly, some time after the implant is integrated into the bone, the making of the crown or sleeve over the implant.
CAN AN IMPLANT BE LOST?
Yes, an implant can be lost shortly after it is placed because it has not integrated well into the bone. In this case, it will be removed and after bone regeneration the implant will be replaced. But an implant can be lost after years in the mouth, just as teeth can suffer from pathologies associated with the gum, known as MUCOSITIS and PERIMPLANTITIS. Both are treated in a very similar way to periodontal diseases (you can read the description in the PERIODONTAL section).