Index
It is the study of the specialized system of hard and soft tissues that supports the teeth and maintains their position in the jaw.
Periodontal medicine practices surgical and non-surgical clinical techniques that bring a patient to a therapeutically acceptable level.
It also offers a correct diagnosis and an adequate step-by-step therapeutic strategy adapted to each case.
Periodontics is the dental specialty that focuses on the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases of the gum and other surrounding tissues.
This appliance, known as the periodontium, has some essential functions: it securely holds the teeth to the jaws; acts as a shock absorber during biting and chewing.
Therefore, it helps to avoid damage to the teeth by excessive forces; and it keeps the teeth in a stable position within the jaws so that they work together efficiently and comfortably during chewing.
Structure of the periodontium
The periodontium is made up of several component structures that work together.
The tooth socket is the bony socket in the upper or lower jaw in which the tooth is placed.
Beneath the gums, the supporting roots of the teeth, which are usually not visible in a healthy mouth, extend down into the socket of the tooth and are covered by a layer of cement.
Stretching between the root cementum and the bone socket, it is a complex arrangement of tiny fibers, known as a periodontal ligament, that holds the tooth in place almost like a sling.
Because the different parts of the periodontium are made of living tissue, they can adapt to changes in the mouth over time, making small changes in shape and thickness that keep the position of the teeth stable.
What is a periodontist?
A periodontist maintains these structures and tissues’ health, function, and aesthetics.
He is a dentist who specializes in preventing, diagnosing, and treating periodontal disease and the placement of dental implants.
Periodontists receive extensive training in these areas, including an additional three years of education beyond dental school. They are trained to diagnose and treat periodontal diseases.
Who should see a periodic?
The general dentist can handle the periodontal needs of some patients.
However, as more and more patients are exhibiting signs of periodontal disease, along with research suggesting a relationship between periodontal disease and other chronic diseases of aging, periodontal treatment may require a greater understanding and increased level of knowledge. from a trained specialist.
Why is periodontics important?
In many ways, the mouth can be seen as a mirror of the general state of your body. In particular, our periodontal status can often tell us more than just what is happening locally in our gums.
Although periodontitis is always triggered by the accumulation of plaque on the teeth, diseases that affect the rest of the body, known as systemic diseases, can weaken the supporting structures of the teeth.
Also, some severe disorders are known to manifest in the mouth before they are evident anywhere else on the body.
Therefore, it is sometimes the case that a trained periodontist is the first person to detect the signs of widespread diseases, such as diabetes or blood disorders when examining a patient’s mouth.
