Periodontics

Periodontology is the study of the periodontium (periodontal apparatus). It deals with the diagnosis and treatment of periodontopathies (periodontal diseases). Periodontal diseases include all inflammatory pathological (pathological) changes of the periodontium.

The most common periodontal disease is periodontitis. It has become very important in recent decades. This is because it is no longer just a matter of dental health – rather, periodontitis is known to be a risk factor in the following serious diseases:

  • Atherosclerosis (arteriosclerosis, hardening of the arteries) with coronary heart disease (CHD) and apoplexy (stroke).
  • Significantly increased risk of premature birth and underweight newborns
  • Diabetes mellitus (diabetes)

For the diagnosis of periodontal disease, the clinical findings are supported by, for example:

  • The demonstration of bacterial plaque
  • The DNA probe test
  • The interleukin-1 gene test
  • The tooth mobility analysis

At the beginning of therapy, the patient is usually informed about the causes, personal responsibility and treatment options; but quite crucial is the professional dental cleaning (PZR), for example, with powder jet and tartar removal, which only allow the patient to implement newly learned hygiene measures without pain.

Once the patient has learned the new hygiene techniques, the next stage of therapy can begin, in which different methods can complement each other. Their goal is subgingival calculus removal (removal of calculus below the gum line), healing of inflammatory tissue and regeneration of the periodontium:

  • The Vector method
  • The periodontal surgery
  • Regenerative therapies such as guided tissue and bone regeneration.
  • Bone defect fillers

Adjuvant (supportive) photo-activated chemotherapy (PACT) or drug therapy, for example, with an antibacterial chip or a tetracycline thread may be useful in some cases.

In order to stabilize the success of the treatment after it has been completed, periodontology works closely with prophylaxis (see under Prophylaxis), the services of which a patient with periodontal damage should make consistent and permanent use of in the form of supportive periodontal therapy (UPT).

The most important periodontology services are presented below.