What is periodontal disease?
It is the general name of inflammatory diseases that affect the gums and the tissues that support the teeth. Periodontal diseases are responsible for the majority of tooth loss in advanced period of ages. These diseases can be treated easily and successfully when they are diagnosed at an early stage, as soon as they give symptoms. Prevention or treatment of gingival diseases brings other benefits such as protecting natural teeth, restoring chewing function and providing a better digestion. In the first period of periodontal disease (gingivitis), the gums are bleeding, colored in red and enlarged in volume. It may be ignored as there are not many signs of discomfort in the early period, but if it is not treated, the disease is called periodontitis and may cause irreversible damage to the gingiva and alveolar bone that supports the teeth. Periodontitis is a more advanced stage of periodontal diseases. It causes damage to the bone. As the disease progresses, the teeth begin to move and conclude with extraction.
What are the symptoms of periodontal disease?
There are many symptoms of periodontal disease. Among them
- Red, swollen and sensitive gums that bleed during tooth brushing
- Gums that can be easily separated from the teeth
- White and yellow discharge between the tooth and gingiva with palpation
- Teeth that move and teeth with gap
- Change in chewing function during biting
- There is a constant bad breath.
In the presence of at least one of these complaints, a dentist should be consulted. It is extremely important to visit the dentist regularly.
How to prevent periodontal disease?
Prevention of periodontal disease depends on individual and correct oral hygiene. It is necessary to remove bacterial dental plaque with daily oral care procedures (tooth brushing, dental floss, using interdental toothbrush). The use of antibacterial mouthwash can be added to the daily routine. Daily oral care procedures can minimize the formation of calculus. Areas that cannot be reached with a toothbrush, dental floss or other cleaning tools should be evaluated by a dentist, existing dental plaque discoloration and/or calculus should be removed with suitable dental tools.
What does the treatment of periodontal disease include?
In the early period of gingival disease, the treatment is easily completed by removing the attachments (plaque and calculus) on the teeth and providing a smooth root surface. This process ensures the removal of bacteria and some inflammatory substances that cause inflammation in the gums. Usually, with this treatment, the gingiva adheres to the tooth again and the gingiva shrinks and the gingival pocket between the bone and the gingiva disappears. In more advanced cases, surgical treatment is considered. The calculus the deep periodontal pockets are cleaned and the formed pocket shrinks and disappears. By providing a smooth root surface, a more easily cleanable gingival form can be created. After periodontal treatment, patients should be regularly examined by a dentist.
What is Gummy smile?
Gummy smile is called the appearance of the gums more than normal when individuals smile. It can also be described as a deep gingival smile. In the treatment of deep gingival appearance, mild cases can sometimes be corrected only by making small levelings on the gingiva, and sometimes the correction can be made by bonny interventions. As a result of the treatment, the gums are compatible with each other and their visibility is reduced and less visible gums are obtained. While the gingival level is performed with laser or scalpel in mild visibility, botox and surgical procedures are required in severe cases.
Treatments in the appearance of deep gingiva;
If the factor affecting your smile is the activity of the upper lip muscle, botox injection method is used for treatment. The treatment decision is made after the periodontologist. It is simple and easy method. Botox is applied to the muscles that pull the lip up and the movement of the muscles is reduced by the injection. It is an application that takes 10-15 minutes. With the botox process applied, it masks the gums in a way that does not disrupt the smile. In Botox application, the patient’s lip can be prevented from moving too much while laughing within 4-6 months. It needs to be repeated. It is often preferred because it is simple and does not require surgical procedures.
Orthodontic Treatment
As a result of the orthodontist examination, the process of reducing the appearance of the gums can be achieved by embedding the upper jaw upwards. This process is permanent, it does not need to be renewed.
