If you suffer from periodontitis (an inflammation of the periodontium, or tooth-supporting structures), this condition often manifests itself through symptoms such as redness and swelling of the gums, bleeding gums, and loose teeth. In addition, many patients experience gum recession as a result of periodontitis. We would be happy to offer you personalized treatment steps to address this condition at our Bellevue practice in Zurich.
What causes periodontitis?
Periodontitis (commonly referred to as periodontal disease) is a bacterial infection—the bacteria responsible colonize areas such as dental plaque or gum pockets, where they form plaque. Metabolic byproducts excreted by the bacteria, such as acids, damage the gums and teeth and often lead to inflammation. If the periodontal ligament is affected by bacterial inflammation, the surrounding bone tissue is often compromised as well—resulting in gum recession.
One of the most important risk factors for the development of periodontitis is, above all, inadequate (improper and/or irregular) oral hygiene. This is because plaque left on the teeth provides an ideal breeding ground for harmful bacteria.
Furthermore, stubborn dental plaque can develop over time into rough tartar, to which bacteria can adhere particularly well.
Periodontitis Self-Screening Test
You can find a self-test to help you assess your risk of periodontitis here.
How is periodontitis treated in a dental setting?
The specific treatment steps we’ll perform as part of your periodontitis therapy or periodontal treatment depend primarily on the severity and stage of the disease. We often begin by treating periodontitis with basic therapy—if this therapy does not produce sufficient results, we have advanced periodontal surgical treatment options available.
Basic Therapy for Periodontitis
Initial therapeutic measures to combat periodontitis often include professional teeth cleaning and deep scaling. As part of this step in periodontitis therapy, we clean the surfaces of affected teeth and tooth roots and remove both hard and soft plaque. If necessary, we also remove any existing tartar. Another important step in treating periodontitis involves smoothing the cleaned root surfaces—this process reduces the risk of renewed bacterial colonization.
Periodontal Surgical Treatment Options
If a patient with periodontitis does not respond to basic therapeutic measures to the desired extent, further periodontal surgical procedures may be necessary. For example, if advanced periodontitis has already caused jawbone loss, we generally recommend treatments aimed at tissue regeneration and bone grafting.
One of the key goals of periodontal surgery is to achieve healthy gums that no longer bleed. To achieve this goal, we apply special proteins to the surfaces of your teeth, which help cover exposed tooth necks.
Based on a dental examination, we’d be happy to discuss the options for personalized periodontitis treatment with you at our dental practice in Zurich. Simply call us to schedule an appointment or use the contact form.