Periodontology

Periodontology

When it comes to your health, it's better to be safe than sorry.

Gum disease is silent, so it's important to get a professional to check for signs regularly. As with any disease, if caught early, it is much easier to treat, with better results.

What is periodontology?

Periodontium is the name given to the complex system of hard and soft structures that support your teeth in your jaw. This system is made up of the tooth socket, the gums, root cementum and the periodontal ligament. Periodontology is the study of these oral structures. Periodontists have a specialist understanding of the science of your mouth, teeth, jaw and gums as a whole, as well as a thorough knowledge of the different kinds of diseases that can manifest, their symptoms and suitable treatments.

Essentially, a periodontist is concerned with keeping your teeth in place, throughout your lifetime. At Parkdale Dental & Implant Clinic our periodontists are trained to help prevent, diagnose and treat periodontal diseases, as well as fit dental implants.

Do I need to see a periodontist?

Gum disease can be hard to spot, which is why it is important to visit your dentist for routine check ups. Your dental practitioner may refer you to a periodontist if they suspect any signs of gingivitis or periodontitis. If you have not seen a dentist for some time, and you think you may have gum disease, book an appointment to see your dentist straight away.

Gum disease is serious, affecting the whole of your mouth and ultimately the structure of your jaw. If left untreated can result in bone loss – undermining the foundations of your teeth. Bone and tissue keep your teeth in place, and lasting damage to these ultimately results in loss of teeth and unsightly gaps.  

You may have gum disease if:

• Your gums bleed when you brush.
• Your teeth look or feel like they are moving.  
• Your gums are red or swollen.
• You suffer from persistent bad breath.
• Your teeth are looking longer (a sign that your gums are receding).
• There are spaces developing between your teeth.
• You experience recurrent mouth infections or ulcers.

Can I get dental implants?

If you have lost a tooth due to gum disease, from an accident or any other reason, you may want to consider a dental implant. This is an artificial tooth root that is placed in the jaw by your periodontist in order to anchor a bridge or an artificial tooth. If you feel that you would benefit from dental implants, speak to your Portman dentist. They can help and advise on the best course of action. You must ensure that you already have a good oral hygiene routine in place, and your Parkdale Dental & Implant Clinic dentist will examine your jaw to ascertain that there is enough bone to attach the implant to.

Where can I find the most experienced periodontists?

At Parkdale Dental & Implant Clinic we have some of the most highly acclaimed periodontists in the country, many of whom lecture internationally. Should you have any concerns over your gums, or think you may have symptoms of gum disease, you can relax in the knowledge that you can be treated in Wolverhampton by some of the most specialised clinicians in the field.

Managing gum disease with the power of light

Parkdale Dental & Implant Clinic are the only practice in the county who are able to offer transmucosal photo dynamic therapy to patients to treat gum disease.

What is transmucosal photo dynamic therapy (tPDT)?

Transmucosal photodynamic therapy is used to kill the harmful bacteria that cause gum disease and to stimulate your body’s cells to heal. This is done by shining a low level laser light through your gums, it is a non-surgical non-invasive alternative to more conventional periodontal surgery.

The harmful bacteria are stained with a photosensitive dye called methylene blue. When exposed to the correct wavelength of light this photosensitive dye forms oxygen free radicals which are very effective at killing bacteria but do not harm your cells. Furthermore light energy is absorbed by your cells which stimulates their ability to heal.

As the low level laser light can pass through gum tissue there is no need to cut the gums to access the bacteria and we believe that this non-invasive approach has significant patient benefits in terms of reduced post treatment discomfort.

As the light and the photosensitive dye can access all areas of the tooth surface the bacteria are more easily accessed than with conventional tools that are used to clean the root surfaces. The use of light also negates the need for repeated applications of systemic or local antibiotics.