How to Get a Great Smile

Posted on: 23 November 2021

Although it might seem like your periodontal disease (also known as gum disease) struck without warning, it has been developing for quite some time. Periodontal disease is progressive, but not especially fast-acting. Your immune system may be able to suppress the early symptoms of periodontal disease, but this cannot continue indefinitely. When you notice the signs of periodontal disease, it's often due to an escalation in its severity, meaning those symptoms can no longer be masked. Periodontal disease may be evident on the exterior of the gums, but much of the damage is hidden. When the condition affects your periodontal ligaments, your teeth themselves may be in jeopardy.

How Ligaments Support Your Teeth

Your teeth are not directly connected to your jawbone. It's actually your periodontal ligaments (which are a string of connective tissues) that connect your teeth to the bone. They have a degree of flexibility, allowing them to absorb some of the pressure experienced by a tooth. This flexibility also permits strategic mobility, which is how teeth can be realigned with orthodontic treatment. Advanced periodontal disease can cause deterioration of your ligaments, which will ultimately affect the stability of your teeth — giving you some unwelcome tooth mobility.

Self-Inflicted

Many cases of periodontal disease are largely self-inflicted. When regular dental checkups are ignored, the accumulation of calculus (calcified dental plaque) on your teeth becomes more likely. Only a dentist has the ability to remove this calculus, as your own toothbrush and other implements are physically incapable of doing so (and this treatment can only be performed by a professional). Although a dentist may treat minor instances of periodontal disease themselves, advanced cases (such as when periodontal ligaments have deteriorated) are often referred to a specialist in the field of periodontics. 

Possible Treatment Options

A versatile approach using different forms of treatment can be necessary for serious periodontal disease. Mechanical debridement to remove your calculus will be performed, and antibiotics may be required. Often, this will be sufficient to alleviate stress on your periodontal ligaments, allowing them to regenerate. Manual regeneration can be a necessity in advanced cases with pronounced tooth mobility. This involves guided tissue regeneration performed during periodontal surgery. Bone grafting can also prove to be essential when periodontal disease has led to bone resorption in your jaw.  

Advanced periodontal disease can be extremely serious, especially if your periodontal ligaments have become affected. The situation will continue to deteriorate, often resulting in tooth loss. If it's been some years since your last dental checkup, or if you should notice symptoms of gum inflammation, please see a periodontic professional as soon as possible.