Periodontal Disease

Preventing Gum Disease

Adults over the age of 35 lose more teeth to gum diseases than from cavities. Three out of four adults are affected at some time in their life. The best way to prevent cavities and Periodontal Diseases is by daily thorough tooth brushing and flossing techniques and regular professional examinations and cleanings. Unfortunately, even with the most diligent home dental care, people still can develop some form of periodontal disease. Once this disease starts, professional intervention is necessary to prevent its progress.

Other important factors affecting the health of your gums include:

  • Tobacco usage
  • Diabetes
  • Stress
  • Clenching and grinding teeth
  • Medication
  • Poor nutrition

The Perioscope

This is a new technology developed for the treatment of periodontal disease. The perioscope is an endoscope that has been specifically designed to explore and visualize the pocket (space) under the gum of teeth involved with periodontitis. An image on a computer monitor shows the diseased tooth's root surface. The perioscope enables the clinician to see the contents of the periodontal pocket and to analyze the root surface of the tooth for disease, causing bacterial accumulations (plaque and calculus).

The perioscope guides the clinician during the process of cleaning the root surface free of plaque and calculus – the treatment for periodontitis. It also allows the clinician to identify other problems (cracks, perforations and other disease causing flaws of the tooth root's surface) that are located under the gum – previously requiring surgery to detect.