What is Periodontal (Gum) Disease?

Common Types of Periodontal Disease:

• ​​​​​​​Chronic periodontitis: The most common type; involves gum recession and deep pockets around teeth.

• Aggressive periodontitis: Rapid bone and tissue loss in otherwise healthy individuals, often hereditary.

• Necrotizing periodontitis: Seen in people with systemic issues like HIV or malnutrition; involves tissue death.

• Periodontitis from systemic disease: Linked to conditions like diabetes, heart, or respiratory diseases, often beginning early in life.

Treatments:

• Scaling and root planing: Deep cleaning to remove plaque, bacteria, and tartar; may include antibiotics and medicated rinses.

• Tissue regeneration: Encourages regrowth of bone and gum tissue using grafts and membranes.

• Pocket elimination surgery: Reduces deep gum pockets to prevent bacterial buildup.

• Dental implants: Used to replace lost teeth; sometimes requires bone grafting first.