*Brookfield 262-787-9075    *Shorewood 414-964-5400

Thomas C Kelley, DDS, MSD, LLC

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Brookfield (262) 787-9075

Shorewood (414) 964-5400

What is periodontal disease?

Millions of people have periodontal disease and don't know it. The word periodontal literally means "around the tooth." Untreated gingivitis can advance to periodontitis. With time, plaque can spread and grow below the gum line. Toxins produced by the bacteria in plaque irritate the gums. The toxins stimulate a chronic inflammatory response in which the body in essence turns on itself, and the tissues and bone that support the teeth are broken down and destroyed. Gums separate from the teeth, forming pockets (spaces between the teeth and gums) that become infected. As the disease progresses, the pockets deepen and more gum tissue and bone are destroyed. Often, this destructive process has very mild symptoms. Eventually, teeth can become loose and may have to be removed.(AAP)

PATIENTS WHO SHOULD BE TREATED BY A PERIODONTIST:

Any patient with:

 

Severe chronic periodontitis

 

Furcation involvement

 

Vertical/angular bony defect(s)

 

Aggressive periodontitis (formerly known as juvenile,early-onset, or rapidly progressive periodontitis)

 

Periodontal abscess and other acute periodontal conditions

 

Significant root surface exposure and/or progressive gingival recession

 

Peri-implant disease

 

J Perio Sept 2006

Periodontal Disease