A tooth is a hard bone like structure. Dental is a term which is related to the teeth and is a study on the teeth structures, diseases and conditions that affect them. Supporting tissues are known as periodontium which includes bones, gums and ligaments. A professional who practices in this field of dentistry is known as periodontist.
Periodontal disease
Periodontology or periodontics is the speciality of dentistry. Periodontal disease takes on different forms, but it usually takes place in the form of bacterial plaque accumulation. This disease has a risky factor of destruction of bone around the natural teeth. This disease also leads to tooth loss. Plaque induced periodontal lesions are classified into four types; they are
- Initial lesion
- Early lesion
- Established lesion
- Advanced lesion
Initial lesion
Oral cavity is generally populated by pathogenic microorganisms. It is difficult to create a boundary between health and the disease in periodontal tissue as oral cavity contains over 500 different microorganisms. It is difficult to identify as of which periodontal pathogen is causing breakdown of tissues and bones. The features of initial lesion are given below;
- Vasculitis of vessels
- Increased migration of leukocytes
- Presence of serum proteins
- Alteration of coronal portion
- Loss of collagen
Early lesion
Early lesion encompasses on the inflammatory changes that occurs from day 4 to 7 after plaque accumulation. The features of early lesion are;
- Loss of collagen
- Accumulation of lymphocytes
- Alteration in fibroblast
- Proliferation of cells
Established lesion
Established lesion emphasize on the presence of plasma cells in relation to the early stages of inflammation. Features of Established lesion are;
- Predominance of plasma cells
- Presence of extra vascular immunoglobulins on the connective tissue
- Loss of collagen
- Proliferation migration and extension of epithelium
Advanced lesion Advanced lesion is usually described clinically. Advanced lesion covers;
- Ulceration and suppuration
- Destruction of bone and ligament
- Loss of tooth
Features of Advanced lesion are;
- Extension of bones and ligament which leads to bone loss
- Loss of collagen
- Alteration in plasma cells
- Formation of periodontal pocketing
- Conversion of bone marrow into connective tissue
Treatment
The procedure involved in the treatment of periodontal disease done by a dental hygienist is called as scaling and root planning to address the periodontal problems. Periodontology involves the placement and maintenance of dental implants.
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