Periodontitis, also known as pyorrhea, is a group of inflammatory diseases that affect the periodontium, the tissue surrounding and supporting the teeth. It involves the progressive loss of alveolar bone around the teeth, which, if left untreated, can lead to increased tooth mobility and eventual tooth loss. Periodontitis is caused by microorganisms that adhere to and multiply on the tooth surface, along with an overly aggressive immune response to these bacteria.
The diagnosis of periodontitis is made by examining the soft tissue (gums) around the teeth using a probe (clinical assessment) and evaluating the patient’s X-ray (radiographic examination) to determine the level of bone loss.
Periodontal diseases appear in various forms, but they are typically the result of the accumulation of bacterial biofilm (plaque) and tartar, combined with immune-inflammatory mechanisms and risk factors that contribute to the destruction of supporting bone around natural teeth. If left untreated, this disease leads to the loss of alveolar bone and teeth, remaining one of the leading causes of tooth loss in adults.
Removing bacterial plaque and tartar is essential to restoring periodontal health. The first step in periodontal treatment involves non-surgical deep cleaning below the gum line, a procedure known as scaling and root planing.
If non-surgical therapy fails to eliminate the disease, periodontal surgery may be necessary to prevent further bone loss and regenerate lost bone where possible. Various surgical approaches are used in the treatment of progressive periodontitis, including flap surgery, bone pocket treatment, guided tissue regeneration, and bone grafting. The goal of periodontal surgery is to enable thorough removal of tartar, correct bone defects, and reduce periodontal pockets as much as possible to prevent disease progression.