Synergy D6 Composite-Anterior restoration

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Extreme Practice Makeover

Extreme Practice Makeover Let’s play a game and learn the new products and technology we need in our clinics.

Few industries in the world have a day to day experience with such a unique combination of healthcare, technical expertise, and even art the way dentistry does. Just when things seem to become mundane, a new technology emerges to make things easier for a patient, more profitable for the practice, and more exciting for the practitioner. At times it is hard to keep up with all the changes, but it is those changes that keeps our competitive edge and makes better practitioners.Looking around most offices, there is an amalgamation of new and old equipment. Sitting next to the CAD/CAM machine in the lab is a belt driven handpiece. A twenty year old dental chair sits up to view digital x-rays on a high-resolution LCD monitor. Most offices are due for an upgrade, and it’s hard to tell where to start the process. At Dentalcompare, we strive to bring you the latest information on products and technology to keep your office improving rather than decaying with time. We will show how to regain excitement at your office, streamline your day, and help you with your own Extreme Practice Makeover. http://www.dentalcompare.com/epm/

Oral Cancers

The demographics of those who develop this cancer have been consistent for some time. While the majority of people are over the age of 40 at the time of discovery, it does occur in those under this age. Exact causes for those affected at a younger age are now becoming clearer in peer reviewed research. There are links to young men and women who use “smokeless” chewing or spit tobacco. Promoted as a safer alternative to smoking, it has in actuality not proven to be any safer to those who use it when referring to oral cancers. Tobacco companies have started campaigns to promote the safety of smokeless, but it is clear that while it may reduce lung cancers, it has a negative effect on the rates of oral cancers, pancreatic cancer, periodontal disease, and the chronic infections that it produces may even link it to heart disease as well. The gains against lung cancers likely will be offset by losses in other areas.

It is also possible that those in this younger age group have a causal link which is viral based, since the amount of time they have been exposed to other known causative agents such as tobacco is short. The human papilloma virus, particularly versions 16 and 18, has now been shown to be sexually transmitted between partners, and is conclusively implicated in the increasing incidence of young non-smoking oral cancer patients. This is the same virus that is the causative agent in more than 90% of all cervical cancers.

From a gender perspective, for decades this has been a cancer which affected 6 men for every woman. That ratio has now become 2 men to each woman. Again, while published studies do not exist to draw finite conclusions, we will probably find that this increase is due to lifestyle changes, primarily the increased number of women smokers over the last few decades. It is a cancer which occurs twice as often in the black population as in whites, and survival statistics for blacks over five years are also poorer at 33%, versus 55% for whites. As in the above examples, it is unlikely we will find a genetic reason for this. Lifestyle choices still remain the biggest cause. These published statistics do not consider such socio-economic factors as income levels, education, availability of proper health care, and the increased use of both tobacco and alcohol by different ethnic populations, but all these factors likely play a role in who develops the disease.

One of the real dangers of this cancer, is that in its early stages, it can go unnoticed. It can be painless, and little in the way of physical changes may be obvious. The good news is however, that your dentist or doctor can see or feel the precursor tissue changes, or the actual cancer while it is still very small, or in its earliest stages. More about the stages of cancer It may appear as a white or red patch of tissue in the mouth, or a small indurated ulcer which looks like a common canker sore. Because there are so many benign tissue changes that occur normally in your mouth, and some things as simple as a bite on the inside of your cheek may mimic the look of a dangerous tissue change, it is important to have any sore or discolored area of your mouth, which does not heal within 14 days, looked at by a professional. Other symptoms include; a lump or mass which can be felt inside the mouth or neck, pain or difficulty in swallowing, speaking, or chewing, any wart like masses, hoarseness which lasts for a long time, or any numbness in the oral/facial region. Other than the lips, the most common areas for oral cancer to develop are on the tongue and the floor of the mouth. Individuals that use chewing tobacco, are likely to have them develop in the sulcus between the lip or cheek and the soft tissue (gingiva) covering the lower jaw (mandible). In the US, cancers of the hard palate are uncommon, though not unknown. The base of the tongue at the back of the mouth, and on the pillars of the tonsils, are other sites where it is commonly found. If your dentist or doctor decides that an area is suspicious, the only way to know for sure is to do a biopsy of the area. This is not painful, is inexpensive, and takes little time. It is important to have a firm diagnosis as early as possible. It is possible that your general dentist or medical doctor, may refer you to a specialist to have the biopsy performed. This is not cause for alarm, but a normal part of referring that happens between doctors of different specialties.

After an informed public that is knowledgeable about the risk factors for oral cancer, the dental community is the first line of defense in early detection of the disease. Including both generalists and specialists, there are over 100,000 dentists in the US, each one seeing between 8 and 15 patients per day. If you include those patients who come to a practice and see someone other than the dentist, such as the hygienist, the number of patient visits is significantly higher. The American Dental Association states that 60% of the US population sees a dentist every year. Just doing “opportunistic” cancer screenings of the existing patient population which visits a dental office every day, would yield tens of thousands of opportunities to catch oral cancer in its early stages. One of our goals is to initiate an effort within the dental community to aggressively screen all of the patients who visit their practices. At the same time we are launching a public awareness campaign. This campaign is intended to drive public awareness of oral cancer, and to instill in the publics mind the need for an annual screening for this disease. One only has to look at the impact of the annual PAP smear, mammogram, and prostate exam, to see how effectively an aware and involved public can contribute to early detection, when coupled with a motivated medical community. The dental community needs to assume this same leadership role if oral cancer is to be brought down from its undeserved high ranking as a killer.

Published studies show that currently less than 15% of those who visit a dentist regularly, report having had an oral cancer screening. This is unfortunate, when you consider that historically, the greatest strides in combating most cancers have come from increased awareness and aggressive campaigns directed at early detection. It is now commonplace to annually get a PAP smear for cervical cancer, a mammogram to check for breast cancer, or PSA and digital rectal exams for prostate cancer. These screening efforts have been possible as a result of the increased public awareness of the value of catching cancers in their earliest forms, combined with effective technologies for conducting the examinations. Oral cancer is no different. Actually, it is potentially easier to obtain public compliance for oral cancer screenings, since unlike many other cancer screening procedures, there is no invasive technique necessary to look for it, no discomfort or pain involved, and it is very inexpensive to have your mouth examined for the early signs of disease. Education of the public regarding the risk factors which lead to oral cancer, and the development of public awareness, are primary responsibilities of the dental community.

İmportant that both private individuals, and members of the dental community, realize that a visit to the dentist is no longer about a filling, a crown, or a postponable cleaning, but is actually a matter of life and death. Dental examinations, when properly done and which include a screening for oral cancer, will save lives. If you are a dental professional, we encourage you to become a member of the foundation, and partner with us in this effort to increase the number of annual screenings which are being done. Please check the member’s only area of our site which discusses the issue from a practice management perspective, and where you can find resources to assist you in the incorporation of a comprehensive cancer screening program in your practice.

Discovery and diagnosis

Historically, it has been difficult to determine which abnormal tissues in the mouth are worthy of concern. The fact is, the average person routinely has conditions existing in their mouths that mimic the appearance of pre-cancerous changes, and very early cancers of the soft tissues. One study determined that the average dentist sees 3-5 patients a day who exhibit soft tissue abnormalities, most of which are benign in nature. Even the simplest things, such as a canker sore (herpes simplex), the wound left by accidentally biting the inside of your cheek, or sore spots from a poorly fitting prosthetic appliance or denture, all at first examination, share similarities with dangerous lesions. Some of these conditions cause physical discomfort, others are painless. The question is which ones deserve action, and which ones bear watching and waiting?

There has been a tendency to watch these areas over an extended period to determine if they are dangerous or not. Unfortunately, this philosophy leads to a situation in which a dangerous lesion may continue to prosper and grow into a later stage, hard to cure cancer. Any sore, discoloration, induration, prominent tissue, irritation, hoarseness, which does not resolve within a two week period on its own, with or without treatment, should be considered suspect and worthy of further examination or referral. Besides a routine visit to the dental office for regular examinations, it is the patient’s responsibility to be aware of changes in their oral environment. When these changes occur, they need to be brought to the attention of a qualified dental professional for examination. The dental professional needs to be current in the knowledge base necessary to make a proper diagnosis, and be competent in the proper screening procedures to identify oral cancer.

How to know if you have had a proper oral cancer screening

There are two separate issues, discovery and diagnosis. Discovery is the result of a thorough visual and manual examination. A protocol for a comprehensive oral cancer screening appears elsewhere in this section of the web site. It includes a systematic visual examination of all the soft tissues of the mouth, including manual extension of the tongue to examine its base, a bi-manual palpation of the floor of the mouth, and a digital examination of the borders of the tongue, and the lymph nodes surrounding the oral cavity and in the neck. New diagnostic aids, including lights, dyes, and other techniques are beginning to appear on the marketplace. While making the discovery process more effective, it is still possible to do a comprehensive examination through a proper visual and tactile process.

Click here for additional information on screening

Once suspect tissues have been detected, the only way a definitive diagnosis of oral cancer may be made is through biopsy. Given the large number of tissue abnormalities a dentist sees every day, it is not logical, nor practical, that each one of these be biopsied. The first question which may help in the determination of which abnormality bears closer examination, is how long has the suspect condition been present? Any condition that has existed for 14 days or more without resolution should be considered suspect and worthy of further diagnostic procedures or referral. Certainly, it is common knowledge that two of the most prevalent lesions that mimic oral cancer, are the herpes simplex ulceration, and aphthous ulcerations, each resolving of their own accord in approximately 10-14 days. Perhaps that sentence should be underlined, since one of the most common diagnoses received with referred patients to a major university cancer pathology department is “an atypical herpetic/aphthous lesion” These all too frequently turn out to be squamous cell carcinomas, which have been under observation…. for several months.

Still, it would seem impractical at these early timelines to engage in biopsy. A oral biopsy brush is available that makes this decision to get an early diagnosis through biopsy easier to make. Simple, painless, and accurate diagnosis of soft tissue abnormalities can be obtained through its use.

Detailed description of brush cytology, and the oral brush biopsy.

Note that this system is not designed to provide the kind of information, specifically cellular architecture, that would be obtained through a punch or incisional biopsy. But it will provide an answer to the question of whether malignancy exists or not, through a quick, minimally invasive, and inexpensive procedure. Should positive results be returned through this system, the brush biopsy must be followed by a conventional biopsy procedure for confirmation. The strong argument for the brush biopsy is that it eliminates the waiting and watching of a suspicious lesion, while it develops from a highly treatable and curable, early stage localized cancer, into a life threatening late stage malignancy. Positive identification of oral cancers at the earliest stages, result in the best prognosis for cure and long-term survivability.

Creating awareness, discovery, diagnosis, and referral. When it comes to oral cancer and saving lives, these are the primary responsibilities of the dental community. The most important step in reducing the death rate from oral cancer is early discovery. No group has a better opportunity to have an impact than members of the dental community.

Start a dialog with your patients today. Even if talking about cancer with them is difficult, there are mechanisms around this.

After an informed public that is knowledgeable about the risk factors for oral cancer, the dental community is the first line of defense in early detection of the disease. Including both generalists and specialists, there are over 100,000 dentists in the US, each one seeing between 8 and 15 patients per day. If you include those patients who come to a practice and see someone other than the dentist, such as the hygienist, the number of patient visits is significantly higher. The American Dental Association states that 60% of the US population sees a dentist every year. Just doing “opportunistic” cancer screenings of the existing patient population which visits a dental office every day, would yield tens of thousands of opportunities to catch oral cancer in its early stages. One of our goals is to initiate an effort within the dental community to aggressively screen all of the patients who visit their practices. At the same time we are launching a public awareness campaign. This campaign is intended to drive public awareness of oral cancer, and to instill in the publics mind the need for an annual screening for this disease. One only has to look at the impact of the annual PAP smear, mammogram, and prostate exam, to see how effectively an aware and involved public can contribute to early detection, when coupled with a motivated medical community. The dental community needs to assume this same leadership role if oral cancer is to be brought down from its undeserved high ranking as a killer.

Published studies show that currently less than 15% of those who visit a dentist regularly, report having had an oral cancer screening. This is unfortunate, when you consider that historically, the greatest strides in combating most cancers have come from increased awareness and aggressive campaigns directed at early detection. It is now commonplace to annually get a PAP smear for cervical cancer, a mammogram to check for breast cancer, or PSA and digital rectal exams for prostate cancer. These screening efforts have been possible as a result of the increased public awareness of the value of catching cancers in their earliest forms, combined with effective technologies for conducting the examinations. Oral cancer is no different. Actually, it is potentially easier to obtain public compliance for oral cancer screenings, since unlike many other cancer screening procedures, there is no invasive technique necessary to look for it, no discomfort or pain involved, and it is very inexpensive to have your mouth examined for the early signs of disease. Education of the public regarding the risk factors which lead to oral cancer, and the development of public awareness, are primary responsibilities of the dental community.

It is important that both private individuals, and members of the dental community, realize that a visit to the dentist is no longer about a filling, a crown, or a postponable cleaning, but is actually a matter of life and death. Dental examinations, when properly done and which include a screening for oral cancer, will save lives. If you are a dental professional, we encourage you to become a member of the foundation, and partner with us in this effort to increase the number of annual screenings which are being done. Please check the member’s only area of our site which discusses the issue from a practice management perspective, and where you can find resources to assist you in the incorporation of a comprehensive cancer screening program in your practice.

Discovery and diagnosis

Historically, it has been difficult to determine which abnormal tissues in the mouth are worthy of concern. The fact is, the average person routinely has conditions existing in their mouths that mimic the appearance of pre-cancerous changes, and very early cancers of the soft tissues. One study determined that the average dentist sees 3-5 patients a day who exhibit soft tissue abnormalities, most of which are benign in nature. Even the simplest things, such as a canker sore (herpes simplex), the wound left by accidentally biting the inside of your cheek, or sore spots from a poorly fitting prosthetic appliance or denture, all at first examination, share similarities with dangerous lesions. Some of these conditions cause physical discomfort, others are painless. The question is which ones deserve action, and which ones bear watching and waiting?

There has been a tendency to watch these areas over an extended period to determine if they are dangerous or not. Unfortunately, this philosophy leads to a situation in which a dangerous lesion may continue to prosper and grow into a later stage, hard to cure cancer. Any sore, discoloration, induration, prominent tissue, irritation, hoarseness, which does not resolve within a two week period on its own, with or without treatment, should be considered suspect and worthy of further examination or referral. Besides a routine visit to the dental office for regular examinations, it is the patient’s responsibility to be aware of changes in their oral environment. When these changes occur, they need to be brought to the attention of a qualified dental professional for examination. The dental professional needs to be current in the knowledge base necessary to make a proper diagnosis, and be competent in the proper screening procedures to identify oral cancer.

http://www.oralcancerfoundation.org/news/index.asp

This is Gruen von Behrens.

• Started using spit tobacco at age 13
• Was diagnosed with oral cancer at age 17
• Has been through 35 painful surgeries
• Parts of his neck and tongue were removed

A dentist can often identify early signs of oral cancer or precancerous lesions. The American Dental Association provides the following information about oral cancer:

Oral cancer often starts as a tiny, unnoticed white or red spot or sore anywhere in the mouth.

VELscope® is a revolutionary hand-held device that provides dentists and hygienists with an easy-to-use adjunctive mucosal examination system for the early detection of abnormal tissue, including cancerous and pre-cancerous tissue. It is based on the direct visualization of tissue fluorescence and the changes in fluorescence that occur when abnormalities are present.

http://www.velscope.com/

Piezosurgery

Piezosurgery® technology opens up a new age for osteotomy and osteoplasty in Implantology, Periodontology, Endodontics and surgical Orthodontics.
 

Ø       Micrometric cutting action

Ø       Selective cutting action: minimum soft tissue damage

Ø       Maximum intra-operative visibility (cavitation effect)

Ø       Minimum surgical stress

Ø       Excellent tissue healing

    Maximum safety

Piezo Surgery Video

13/08/2007

http://www.piezosurgery.com/homeDent.asp  İlk kez 1998 yilinda bir periodontolog olan İtalyan Dr.Thomas Vercelotti tarafindan bu cihazin kesfedilmesi ile calismalar baslamis. Bugun o kadar cok kullanim alani var ki : 1-Osteotomi ve osteoplasti tekniginde kullanimi (J oral maxillofac surg 62, 759-761, 2004) 2-Dar kretlerde  alveoler kret genisletmesi isleminde (Int J Periodontics Restorative Dent.,20,358-365,2004) 3-Otojen kemik grefti alim islemlerinde ( J clin periodontol., 32, 994-999, 2006) 4-Nervus alveolaris inferiorun transpozisyonunda (J oral maxillofac surg., 34, 590-593, 2005) 5-Sinus tabani yukseltilmesi isleminde (Int J periodontics Restorative Dent., 21, 345-367, 2001) 6-Ortagnatik cerrahide kullanimi (Journal of Cranio-Maxillofacial surgery., 32, 381, 2001) Piezosurgery® technology opens up a new age for osteotomy and osteoplasty in Implantology, Periodontology, Endodontics and surgical Orthodontics.   Ø       Micrometric cutting action Ø       Selective cutting action: minimum soft tissue damage Ø       Maximum intra-operative visibility (cavitation effect) Ø       Minimum surgical stress Ø       Excellent tissue healing     Maximum safety   1-Mectron (piezosurgery) (www.piezosurgery.com) 2-Esacrome (Surgysonic) (www.cellinelaser.com/TR/surgysonic.asp) 3-BioSaf (Easysurgery) (www.bio-saf.com/prodotti/easysurgery04.html ) 4-Satelec (Piezotome) (www.acteongroup.com/SitePiezotome/LANG_u/Acc.asp)   Thank you for informations about piezosurgery to: Muammer GÖZLÜ,DDS,PhD Periodontist Dentestetik Dental Center 0090 533 472 12 12 Konya/TURKIYE www.dentestetik.com  DENTSECTORTV BLOG

What causes gum disease?

In the mildest form of the disease, gingivitis, the gums redden, swell and bleed easily. There is usually little or no discomfort. Gingivitis is often caused by inadequate oral hygiene. Gingivitis is reversible with professional treatment and good oral home care.

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.

• What’s your risk for having or developing periodontal disease?
  Use AAP’s risk assessment tool to find out!

Causes of Periodontal Disease

The main cause of periodontal disease is bacterial plaque, a sticky, colorless film that constantly forms on your teeth. However, factors like the following also affect the health of your gums.

Smoking/Tobacco Use
As you probably already know, tobacco use is linked with many serious illnesses such as cancer, lung disease and heart disease, as well as numerous other health problems. What you may not know is that tobacco users also are at increased risk for periodontal disease. In fact, recent studies have shown that tobacco use may be one of the most significant risk factors in the development and progression of periodontal disease.

• Smokers May Want to Kick Butt Before Dental Procedures (Press Release)
• Smoking and Periodontal Disease (Consumer Article)
• Cigar and Pipe Smoking Are as Dangerous as Cigarettes to Periodontal Health (Press Release)
• Study Points to Smoking as Major Cause of Gum Disease (Press Release)
• Smokers Have Lower Success Rates with Periodontal Treatment (Press Release)
• Study Shows Yet Another Reason Why Quitters Are Winners (Video News Release)
• Periodontists Encourage Patients To Quit Smoking Habit (AAP Member Survey)

Genetics
Research proves that up to 30% of the population may be genetically susceptible to gum disease. Despite aggressive oral care habits, these people may be six times more likely to develop periodontal disease. Identifying these people with a genetic test before they even show signs of the disease and getting them into early interventive treatment may help them keep their teeth for a lifetime.

• Study Finds Substantial Genetic Basis for Risk of Periodontal Disease (Press Release)
• Genetic Marker Common in People of European Heritage Doesn’t Explain High Rates of Periodontal Disease in Chinese (Press Release)
• Families and Periodontal Disease (Press Release)

Pregnancy and Puberty
As a woman, you know that your health needs are unique. You know that brushing and flossing daily, a healthy diet, and regular exercise are all important to help you stay in shape. You also know that at specific times in your life, you need to take extra care of yourself. Times when you mature and change, for example, puberty or menopause, and times when you have special health needs, such as menstruation or pregnancy. During these particular times, your body experiences hormonal changes. These changes can affect many of the tissues in your body, including your gums. Your gums can become sensitive, and at times react strongly to the hormonal fluctuations. This may make you more susceptible to gum disease. Additionally, recent studies suggest that pregnant women with gum disease are seven times more likely to deliver preterm, low birth weight babies.

• Dental Procedure May Reduce Risk of Premature Births (Press Release)
• More Severe Periodontal Disease Poses Additional Threat to Pregnant Diabetics (Press Release)
• Women and Periodontal Disease (Consumer Article)
• A Mouthful of Reasons to Consider Hormone Replacement Therapy (Press Release)
• Oral Health Advice for Mothers-to-Be (Press Release)
• Research Provides Further Evidence on the Importance of Good Oral Health in Pregnant Women (Press Release)

Stress
As you probably already know, stress is linked to many serious conditions such as hypertension, cancer, and numerous other health problems. What you may not know is that stress also is a risk factor for periodontal disease. Research demonstrates that stress can make it more difficult for the body to fight off infection, including periodontal diseases.

• Identifying Patients’ Stress Coping Behavior Key to Treatment Outcomes (Press Release)
• Financial Stress Doubles Periodontal Disease Risk (Press Release)
• Researchers Find Clinical Depression May Have Negative Effect on Periodontal Treatment Outcome (Press Release)

Medications
Some drugs, such as oral contraceptives, anti-depressants, and certain heart medicines, can affect your oral health. Just as you notify your pharmacist and other health care providers of all medicines you are taking and any changes in your overall health, you should also inform your dental care provider.

• Common Treatment for Acne May Cause the Appearance of Discolored Gums (Press Release)
• Patients Taking Medication for High Blood Pressure Benefit from Frequent Dental Care (Press Release)

Clenching or Grinding Your Teeth
Has anyone ever told you that you grind your teeth at night? Is your jaw sore from clenching your teeth when you’re taking a test or solving a problem at work? Clenching or grinding your teeth can put excess force on the supporting tissues of the teeth and could speed up the rate at which these periodontal tissues are destroyed.

Diabetes
Diabetes is a disease that causes altered levels of sugar in the blood. Diabetes develops from either a deficiency in insulin production (a hormone that is the key component in the body’s ability to use blood sugars) or the body’s inability to use insulin correctly. According to the American Diabetes Association, approximately 16 million Americans have diabetes; however, more than half have not been diagnosed with this disease. If you are diabetic, you are at higher risk for developing infections, including periodontal diseases. These infections can impair the ability to process and/or utilize insulin, which may cause your diabetes to be more difficult to control and your infection to be more severe than a non-diabetic.

• More Severe Periodontal Disease Poses Additional Threat to Pregnant Diabetics (Press Release)
• Controlled Diabetics Have New Reason to Smile (Press Release)
• Diabetes: The Mouth-Body Connection (Consumer Article)

Poor Nutrition
As you may already know, a diet low in important nutrients can compromise the body’s immune system and make it harder for the body to fight off infection. Because periodontal disease is a serious infection, poor nutrition can worsen the condition of your gums.

• Researchers Find Link Between Obesity and Periodontal Disease (Press Release)
• Low Dietary Vitamin C Can Increase Risk for Periodontal Disease (Press Release)
• Healthy Gums Are Likely to Lie Behind Milk Mustaches (Press Release)
• Calcium Consumption and Oral Health (Video News Release)

Other Systemic Diseases
Diseases that interfere with the body’s immune system may worsen the condition of the gums.

• The Mouth Body Connection (Consumer Article)
• Healthy Gums, Healthier Bodies (Press Release)
• Why Periodontal Disease May Pose a Risk to Your Health (Video News Release)
• People With Rheumatoid Arthritis Have More Periodontal Disease (Press Release)

Types of Periodontal Disease

There are many forms of periodontal disease. The most common ones include the following.

Gingivitis
Gingivitis is the mildest form of periodontal disease. It causes the gums to become red, swollen, and bleed easily. There is usually little or no discomfort at this stage. Gingivitis is reversible with professional treatment and good at home oral care.

Aggressive Periodontitis
A form of periodontitis that occurs in patients who are otherwise clinically healthy. Common features include rapid attachment loss and bone destruction and familial aggregation.

Chronic Periodontitis
A form of periodontal disease resulting in inflammation within the supporting tissues of the teeth, progressive attachment and bone loss and is characterized by pocket formation and/or recession of the gingiva. It is recognized as the most frequently occurring form of periodontitis. It is prevalent in adults, but can occur at any age. Progression of attachment loss usually occurs slowly, but periods of rapid progression can occur.

Periodontitis as a Manifestation of Systemic Diseases
Periodontititis, often with onset at a young age, associated with one of several systemic diseases, such as diabetes.

Necrotizing Periodontal Diseases
An infection characterized by necrosis of gingival tissues, periodontal ligament and alveolar bone. These lesions are most commonly observed in individuals with systemic conditions including, but not limited to, HIV infection, malnutrition and immunosuppression.

Treatment of Periodontal Disease

If you’re diagnosed with periodontal disease, your periodontist may recommend periodontal surgery. Periodontal surgery is necessary when your periodontist determines that the tissue around your teeth is unhealthy and cannot be repaired with non-surgical treatment. Following are the four types of surgical treatments most commonly prescribed:

• Pocket Reduction Procedures
• Regenerative Procedures
• Crown Lengthening
• Soft Tissue Grafts

If you’ve already lost a tooth to periodontal disease, you may be interested in dental implants – the permanent tooth replacement option.

http://www.perio.org/consumer/2a.html