Periodontitis and Periodontosis

What are they and what are the differences?

Both periodontitis and periodontosis are types of gum disease. But what sets them apart? Periodontitis is an inflammatory-destructive process, while periodontosis is a dystrophic-atrophic process. The main difference between these gum diseases is that periodontitis is characterized by a predominance of inflammatory processes, whereas periodontosis is characterized by the absence of inflammation.

In periodontitis, we observe bleeding, swelling, tenderness, abundance of soft and hard plaque, dental calculus, and bad breath. In periodontosis, the gums will be pale, firm (without swelling), there may be itching in the gums, increased sensitivity of teeth to sour/sweet and hot/cold, increased tooth wear (bumps disappear from teeth and the teeth themselves decrease in length), and wedge-shaped defects.

Periodontitis is quite common in varying degrees of severity. Unfortunately, many patients come with obvious consequences of these diseases, such as wedge-shaped defects (in the cervical part of the tooth near the gum), exposed tooth roots (normally the tooth root is located in the jawbone, covered with gum), and loose teeth (which can "participate in the act of breathing").

The main complication of gum disease is premature tooth loss, even if they appear healthy on the surface.

And the most important thing is that neither periodontitis nor periodontosis can be cured, for example, like tooth decay. This is because problems with the gums can lead to further problems with the jawbone. We can relieve inflammation and stimulate gum trophism (blood circulation). However, currently, there is no effective way to restore lost bone tissue around teeth that can provide a reliable and long-lasting result. These diseases can only be "treated" (that is, put into remission and slow down the development of the disease and its complications in the form of tooth loss). The most effective methods today are preventive and therapeutic procedures aimed at maintaining the healthy condition of your gums. If your gums feel good, there will be no progressive loss of bone tissue, and your teeth will remain in place and last as long as possible.

Why treat gums if they cannot be cured?!

Because the diseases actively progress during certain periods. Bone tissue of the jaw is particularly actively destroyed during exacerbations (usually in the autumn-spring period) and during periods of decreased immunity. For example, without supportive therapy, the process can develop within a year as much as it would have in 25 years with timely therapeutic and prophylactic interventions. This is a weighty argument.

In addition, there are a number of factors that affect the development and course of periodontitis and periodontosis. They can be conventionally divided into two groups: general and local.

 General factors:

• Hormonal balance
• Age
• Chronic diseases
• Harmful habits

Local factors:

• Soft and hard dental plaque
• Poor restorations, fillings, crowns, and prostheses
• Abnormal tooth position in the dental arch, incorrect bite
• Absence of one or more teeth and as a result, improper distribution of chewing load and overload of remaining teeth

The specialists at iStomatolog Center have extensive experience in the treatment and prevention of these diseases, which is based on years of observation and management of such patients.

An individual treatment plan is developed for each patient based on their clinical situation and taking into account all aggravating factors.

Treatment of periodontitis and periodontosis should include:

1. A complex of measures aimed at eliminating factors affecting the condition of the gums, such as:

• Professional teeth cleaning (removal of dental calculus, subgingival and supragingival)
• Correction or replacement of low-quality restorations and fillings
• Restoration of damaged teeth with crowns (manufacturing of crowns for teeth that cannot be restored)
• Installation of implants in the absence of teeth, manufacturing of bridgelike and removable prostheses
• Splinting of mobile teeth

2. Elimination of gum inflammation with:

• Laser gum treatment
• Vector therapy
• Curettage of periodontal pockets
• Application of medicinal products
• Complex drug therapy

The team of iStomatolog Center has developed unique protocols with proven effectiveness for treating patients with periodontitis and periodontosis.

You can get detailed information and an individual treatment plan during a free consultation at the Center.