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Periodontal Disease
Periodontal
disease is commonly known as gingivitis or pyorrhoea. It is an
infection of the gums and bone around the teeth caused by bacterial
plaque. Bacteria multiply in plaque and cause inflammation and
breakdown of the tooth supporting bone. Plaque is continually forming
and after time can build up into hard deposits which cannot be
removed by brushing alone.
Symptoms
of periodontal disease may include one or more of the following:
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Gums that bleed when you brush
your teeth or use a tooth pick. |
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Gums that are red, swollen or tender |
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Gums that ooze pus when compressed |
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Teeth that are loose |
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Persistent bad breath |
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An unpleasant taste in the mouth |
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Gums that have pulled away (receded)
from teeth |
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Changes in the way your teeth fit
when biting |
The detection
of periodontal diseases has far reaching implications for our patients.
Recent breakthrough discoveries have been made in the area of periodontal
(gum and bone) health and its affect on the health of entire body. These
studies have revealed that 80% of the population has early signs
of periodontal disease. And 10 percent of adults aged 18 to 64 have
severe disease.
Researchers have found
that the relationship between gum disease and the cardiovascular
system may, in some cases, double the risk of a fatal stroke
or heart attack. Periodontal disease may also have adverse
affects on the course of pregnancy and childbirth. Affected
women suffer a seven times greater risk of having a premature
or low birth weight baby. Also there is a strong two-way relationship
between gum disease and increased risks for those suffering
from other ailments such as diabetes, respiratory diseases
or coronary artery disease. Quite often the medications prescribed
for these ailments can put patients at risk for periodontal
disease.
Periodontal
disease may have adverse affects on the course of pregnancy and childbirth.
Affected women suffer a seven times greater risk of having a premature
or low birth weight baby. Also there is a strong two-way relationship
between gum disease and increased risks for those suffering from
other ailments such as diabetes, respiratory diseases or coronary
artery disease. Quite often the medications prescribed for these
ailments can put patients at risk for periodontal disease. And equally
as often, periodontal disease can lead to many of these diseases
or the worsening of existing conditions.
Periodontal
diseases remain a primary cause of breath disorders and the chief
cause of tooth loss in adults. Tooth loss frequently results in impaired
chewing, speaking, an unpleasing smile and occlusal problems. These
reasons make the early detection of periodontal diseases more important
than ever.
Continuing Care
Our Continuing Care Program is detailed, comprehensive,
and set up with your best interests in mind. Early diagnosis and
treatment of problems is practicing prevention which usually makes
treatment more successful and helps keep financial costs down.
Our Continuing Care/ Periodontal Maintenance program
is designed to help our patients maintain oral health by the early
detection and treatment of oral disease. As well as the dental scaling
and polishing that make up the regular cleanings which we provide ee also
incorporate patient education regarding oral disease and prevention.
All of these things fall under the category of Preventive Dentistry,
which we consider to be very important.
Most patients require a dental cleaning at least
twice each year, while most patients with advanced gum disease
need to be treated every three months.
During a regular dental cleaning appointment with
Dr. Klug and his staff includes:
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examination for
pathology including cancer |
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examinations for
periodontal disease (gum disease) |
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evaluation of
the bite and joints (TMJ) |
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X-rays to evaluate the teeth and check the bone for
pathology as well as |
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to monitor periodontal bone loss around the teeth
evaluation of dental esthetics to address any of your concerns
or needs
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for cosmetic treatment such as bleaching/ bonding/orthodontics/surgery
evaluation of tooth replacement with dentures, bridges, and
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placement of implants |
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Oral Hygiene Instruction |
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each
patient is provided with a toothbrush brush, floss, and other
aids for
cleaning at no extra charge
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And of course, we check for tooth decay. |
Oral Hygiene Instruction
Each patient
is provided with a toothbrush brush, floss, and other aids for cleaning at no extra charge. And of course, we
check for tooth decay.
Our
Techniques and Equipment Calgary Smile Design uses the most current technology
available today. For example our hygiene department utilizes both
the Holbrook and Dentsply ultrasonics in
conjunction with the traditional method of hand instrument scaling.
Some of the benefits of ultrasonic debridement (the remove of the hard scale like material from
the teeth and root surface of the tooth) include:
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the ability to reach deeper pocket
areas with smaller, specifically designed ultrasonic inserts |
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ultrasonic vibration removes pathogenic
bacteria and endotoxins from root
surfaces |
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patient comfort is greatly increased |
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ultrasonics “flush” pockets
through irrigation |
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