Periodontics

Periodontics is a dental specialty that focuses on disease in the gums, which can destroy this structure, as well as other structures directly surrounding the area of infection. One of the base functions of a dentist is to prevent and treat periodontal disease. Four out of five people are currently suffering from periodontal disease, and chances are high that they have no idea that the condition is running rampant in their mouth. Here at our practice, Dr. Ray Hazen has been helping patients in the South Bend, Kokomo, Fort Wayne, Northwest Ohio, and Southwest Michigan areas treat periodontal disease for many years now. As a trained periodontist, Dr. Hazen has the knowledge and experience required to keep your mouth safe from the dangerous effects of this destructive condition. We encourage you to read on to learn more about what periodontal disease is, how it can affect your body, and what can be done to stop it.

What is Periodontal Disease?

Periodontal disease is an inflammatory condition that affects the tissues directly surrounding a tooth. In particular, it is a bacterial infection, which is generally preceded by gingivitis. When plaque builds up on your teeth and isn’t removed, the toxins that are created by plaque begin to irritate and inflame the gums. Eventually, this infection will form in the gum pockets between your teeth, which are difficult to get to for cleaning and treatment. With enough time, periodontal disease will destroy the connective tissues and jawbone, which will lead to shifting teeth, loose teeth, and eventually tooth loss.

Types of Periodontal Disease

There are four common types of periodontal disease we see here at H. Ray Hazen, DDS, MSD. These are:

• Chronic Periodontitis: This is the most common form of periodontitis, and it reveals itself when your gums begin to recede away from your teeth. This regression is progressive, with periods of rapid recession.
• Aggressive Periodontitis: This form of periodontitis can occur in otherwise healthy patients, and is characterized by chronic bone destruction and the rapid loss of gum attachment.
• Necrotizing Periodontitis: This form of periodontitis most often occurs in patients who are suffering from conditions such as HIV, immunosuppression, and malnutrition, and works to attack the periodontal ligament, alveolar bone, and gingival tissues.
• Periodontitis Caused by Systemic Disease: This type of periodontitis occurs in patients at a young age, and can be caused by medical conditions such as respiratory disease, diabetes, and heart disease.

Symptoms of Periodontal Disease

There are various symptoms of periodontal disease that could help indicate that you may be suffering from the condition. Some of these symptoms include:

• Bleeding Gums
• Loose Teeth
• Gaps Between Teeth
• Constant Bad Breath
• Gum Recession
• Red or Swollen Gums
• Tenderness or Discomfort

Treatments for Periodontal Disease

When it comes to treating periodontal disease, Dr. Ray Hazen can perform a variety of different treatments, ranging from surgical to nonsurgical. Some of the common treatments we use for patients with this condition include:

• Scaling and Root Planing: To heal your gums, we must first remove all of the bacteria and tartar that has caused the infection. We do this by cleaning out the gum pockets between your teeth, using antibiotics when needed to fight the infection.
• Tissue Regeneration: Using a treatment called soft tissue augmentation, we can bring new gum tissue to the deficient areas in your mouth. This tissue will heal into your gums, allowing them to restore strength and density to your jaw.
• Pocket Elimination Surgery: This procedure can be used to reduce the size of the pockets between your gums and teeth.