What are the Causes of Gum Disease?
Periodontal diseases are progressive and destructive inflammatory diseases of the alveolar bone and gum support tissues that connect the teeth to the jawbone. These diseases begin with an inflammatory response of the body's immune system against bacterial plaque and tartar that accumulate on and under the gingival margin. This process can result in gingival recession and bone loss. If left untreated, the teeth may become loose, have increased mobility, slippage, sagging, decreased chewing function and further tooth loss may occur. In addition, gum infections can also negatively affect overall body health, exacerbating diseases such as heart disease and diabetes and causing low birth weight in pregnant women.
How is Gum Disease Treated?
Subgingival curettage treatments and/or flap operations are applied to stop gingival recession and bone destruction and to provide tissue regeneration.
Subgingival Curettage Therapy: In this treatment, bacterial plaque, calculus and microorganism residues accumulated on the root surfaces under the gum tissue are cleaned with the help of special hand tools and ultrasonic instruments under local anesthesia. Inflammatory tissues and epithelial residues are also removed. The treatment aims to clean the root surfaces and reduce the depth of the pocket. This facilitates oral care, reduces the risk of bacterial accumulation and eliminates bleeding, bad breath and the feeling of loose teeth caused by gingival infections. The aesthetic and functional retention of natural teeth is prolonged and overall health is maintained.
Operation Flap: Surgical flap operation may be necessary in cases where periodontal disease has progressed, pocket depth has increased significantly and bone loss has occurred. After local anesthesia, the gum flaps are lifted to expose the bone surface. The root surfaces are cleaned of inflamed tissue debris and calculus, and the distorted bone contours are reshaped. If necessary, biomaterials such as bone grafts and membranes are applied to rebuild supportive bone around the tooth. These materials can be of human or animal origin or synthetic. The gingival caps are then positioned appropriately with sutures and the sutures are removed after 7-10 days.
Effective treatment of gum disease maintains oral health and has positive effects on overall health.
