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9 December 2024

Periodontal Disease Treatment: A Comprehensive Guide

Lecture : 8 min. par Harmonie Bodyexpert

Periodontal disease, if left untreated, can lead to tooth loss (CDC, 2024). This chronic inflammatory condition affects approximately 45% of adults in the UK (British Society of Periodontology, 2021). Fortunately, various effective periodontal disease treatments are now available to combat the condition and restore patients’ oral health.

Many individuals are exploring international options for their dental care. Turkey has emerged as a popular destination for periodontal treatment, known for its modern clinics, highly qualified practitioners, and competitive prices. It offers an attractive alternative for those seeking quality care at a reduced cost.

Learn about the various therapeutic approaches to periodontal disease, their benefits, and why Turkey might be an excellent choice for these specialised treatments.

Understanding Periodontal Disease

Before delving into treatments, it’s crucial to understand periodontal disease. The condition typically begins with gingivitis.

If left untreated, gingivitis can progress to periodontitis, where inflammation spreads to deeper tissues, creating pockets between the teeth and gums. These pockets can become infected, leading to the progressive destruction of the bone supporting the teeth (CDC, 2024).

Causes of Periodontal Disease

Periodontal disease is a complex condition influenced by various factors.

The primary cause is dental plaque accumulation, a bacterial biofilm that constantly forms on teeth. If not removed regularly through proper oral hygiene, it can calcify and form tartar (CDC, 2024).

Genetics play a significant role in an individual’s susceptibility to periodontal disease. Some people may be genetically predisposed to developing the condition, even with good oral hygiene (Boehm & Kim, 2024).

Lifestyle and personal habits can considerably increase the risk of periodontal disease. Smoking is one of the most significant risk factors, reducing blood supply to the gums, impairing immune function, and interfering with tissue healing (CDC, 2024).

A diet low in essential nutrients, particularly vitamin C and antioxidants, can compromise gum health (Boehm & Kim, 2024).

Chronic stress can weaken the immune system, making periodontal tissues more vulnerable to infection (Boehm & Kim, 2024).

Symptoms of Periodontal Disease

Signs and symptoms of periodontal disease may include:

Red, swollen or tender gums
Bleeding gums when brushing or flossing
Persistent bad breath
An unpleasant taste in the mouth
Teeth appearing longer (gum recession)
Gaps forming between teeth
Teeth that move or shift
Changes in teeth alignment when chewing

Note: Periodontal disease can progress without significant pain, highlighting the importance of regular dental check-ups (CDC, 2024).

Periodontal Disease Treatment Options

The goal of periodontal disease treatment is to halt disease progression, restore damaged tissue where possible, and prevent recurrence. The therapeutic approach depends on the severity of the condition and may combine several methods.

Scaling and Root Planing

Scaling involves removing plaque and tartar from the tooth surface and under the gums. It can be performed using manual instruments or ultrasound equipment. This step is crucial as it eliminates bacteria responsible for inflammation and creates a smooth surface that discourages rapid plaque reformation.

Root planing goes further by smoothing the tooth root surfaces. This process eliminates bacterial toxins embedded in the root and helps prevent future tartar build-up. It also creates a smooth surface that encourages healthy gums to reattach to the teeth.

These procedures may require several sessions, depending on the extent of the disease. They are generally performed under local anaesthetic to minimise patient discomfort (Boehm & Kim, 2024).

Medicinal Treatments

In addition to scaling and root planing, medication may be prescribed to help control infection and inflammation.

In some cases, oral antibiotics may be prescribed to eliminate pathogenic bacteria that persist after mechanical cleaning. Antibiotics can also be administered locally, directly into the periodontal pockets.

Periodontal Surgery

In advanced cases of periodontal disease, where non-surgical treatments have not been sufficient to halt disease progression, surgery may be required (Boehm & Kim, 2024).

Flap Surgery

Flap surgery is one of the most common procedures in periodontal surgery. It involves lifting the gum to access the tooth roots and underlying bone. This technique allows in-depth cleaning of areas inaccessible by non-surgical methods (Boehm & Kim, 2024).

The dental surgeon begins by making an incision along the gum line, creating a ‘flap’ of gum tissue. This flap is gently lifted, exposing the tooth roots and alveolar bone. Once access is gained, the practitioner can proceed with several actions:

Tartar and infected tissue removal: Tartar deposits are carefully removed from the root surfaces, and infected soft tissue is debrided.
Bone remodelling: If bone loss has created irregularities on the bone surface, the bone can be reshaped to create an architecture more conducive to periodontal health.
Treatment of bone defects: Deep bone pockets can be filled with bone grafting materials to promote regeneration.

Once cleaning and any regeneration procedures are completed, the gingival flap is repositioned and sutured, often in a slightly different position to reduce the depth of the periodontal pockets (Boehm & Kim, 2024).

Flap surgery offers several advantages:

It allows direct access to the roots and bone, facilitating complete cleaning.
It offers the opportunity to reshape hard and soft tissues to create an anatomy more conducive to periodontal health.
It can significantly reduce the depth of periodontal pockets, facilitating future oral hygiene (Boehm & Kim, 2024).

Bone Grafts

When periodontal disease has led to significant alveolar bone loss, bone grafts may be necessary to restore tooth support. The aim of this procedure is to stimulate new bone tissue growth, thereby improving tooth stability and creating an environment more conducive to periodontal health (Boehm & Kim, 2024).

Different types of graft material can be used:

Autograft: Bone is harvested from the patient, usually from the jaw or palate. This is considered the ‘gold standard’ due to its optimal biological compatibility.
Allograft: The bone comes from a human donor and is treated to eliminate any risk of rejection or disease transmission.
Xenograft: The graft material is of animal origin, usually bovine, treated to be biocompatible.
Synthetic materials: Synthetic bone substitutes can also be used (Boehm & Kim, 2024).

The bone grafting procedure generally involves the following steps:

Incision and lifting of a gingival flap to access the treatment area.
Preparation of the recipient site.
Placement of the graft material.
Possible use of membranes to guide tissue regeneration.
Suturing of the gingival flap.

Note: Bone grafts can significantly improve the prognosis of teeth affected by severe bone loss and create a solid foundation for eventual prosthetic restorations (Boehm & Kim, 2024).

Guided Tissue Regeneration

Guided tissue regeneration (GTR) is an advanced technique designed to stimulate the regeneration of lost periodontal tissues, including alveolar bone, cementum, and periodontal ligament. This approach is based on the principle of cell selectivity, promoting the growth of certain cell types while preventing others from colonising the healing area (Boehm & Kim, 2024).

The aim of GTR is to create a protected space where periodontal ligament and bone cells can multiply and form new attachment tissues. This technique has shown promising results in periodontal tissue regeneration, particularly in cases of vertical bone defects (Boehm & Kim, 2024).

Gum Grafts

Gum grafts, also known as gingival grafts, are used to treat gingival recession, a common problem in advanced periodontal disease. These procedures aim to cover exposed tooth roots, increase the amount of attached gum tissue, and improve smile aesthetics (Boehm & Kim, 2024).

Gingival grafts offer several advantages:

Protection of exposed roots from decay and hypersensitivity.
Improved smile aesthetics.
Gum reinforcement to prevent future recession (Boehm & Kim, 2024).

Periodontal Disease Treatment: Advantages of Turkey

In recent years, Turkey has established itself as a destination of choice for dental treatment, including advanced periodontal care.

Medical Expertise and Cutting-Edge Technology

One of Turkey’s main advantages in dental care is the high level of expertise of its practitioners. Many Turkish dentists and periodontists have undergone international training and are up-to-date with the latest techniques and technologies in periodontal treatment.

Turkish dental clinics, particularly those specialising in international patients, are often equipped with state-of-the-art technology. This includes 3D X-ray systems, dental lasers for non-invasive periodontal treatment, and computer-assisted surgery equipment.

Competitive Costs

One of the most significant advantages of periodontal treatment in Turkey is the cost. Prices for dental treatment in Turkey are considerably lower than in many Western countries, particularly in Europe and North America. This cost difference can be as much as 50-70% for some treatments, making procedures that might be prohibitively expensive in the patient’s home country accessible.

Combining Periodontal Care and Tourism

An attractive aspect of dental tourism in Turkey is the possibility of combining medical treatment with a holiday. Turkey, with its rich history and culture, offers many tourist attractions. Patients can take advantage of their stay to visit historical sites, enjoy the beaches, or explore the local cuisine, turning a medical necessity into a rewarding experience.

By choosing Body Expert for your periodontal treatments, you are opting for high-quality care and an overall experience that considers all aspects of your medical journey. Please contact us to discuss your specific requirements or to learn more about our periodontal treatment services in Turkey.