Offering
Quality Care in a Friendly and Caring Atmosphere
Periodontal (Gum) Disease You may have periodontal disease and not realize it. This disease
is the primary cause of the loss of teeth after age 35. If caught
in the early stages, however, periodontal disease can be reversed
with proper care. Periodontal disease, or simply gum disease, is the single most common cause of tooth loss in adults. This inflammatory disease attacks the gums, bone and other supporting structures of the teeth. |
|
 |
Gingivitis: Gum tissue is inflamed and bleeds when probed. |
Severe
Periodontitis: Supporting gum tissues have deteriorated; tooth loosens. |
Diagnosis
A thorough oral examination,
including X-rays, is crucial to diagnosing periodontal disease. In most
cases, we recommend an in office exam and tooth cleaning for all adults
twice a year.
At this time, we may use a special instrument called a periodontal probe to measure the depth of the pocket between the tooth and the gum tissue. The pocket depth measurement, clinical examination and x-rays help us determine the precise location, extent and severity of gum disease.
