Periodontology is the main branch of science that deals with the diseases that occur in the tissues surrounding the teeth, aka the gums and bones that surround the roots of the teeth, and the treatment of these diseases one-on-one.

Periodontitis is an important gum disease that destroys the soft tissues and bone that provides the main support, which allows the tooth to stay in the mouth. A depth called the gingival pocket is formed under the gum where bacteria can accumulate. Periodontitis, if left untreated, can primarily cause tooth loss or, with an indirect effect, increase the risk of serious health problems such as heart attack, stroke. Periodontitis is a common disease that can often be prevented from occurring. It develops as a result of the progression of gingivitis as a result of inadequate oral care. Regular brushing and flossing every day, periodic dental cleanings performed by the doctor greatly prevent the occurrence of periodontitis.

Patient Complaints and Symptoms of the Disease:

• Swollen gums
• Bad breath 
• A feeling of bad taste in the mouth
• Swinging teeth
•  A feeling of incompatibility of your teeth with each other during chewing
• A feeling of incompatibility of your teeth with each other during chewing

These symptoms vary from patient to patient.

When Should I Go to the Doctor?

Healthy gums have a firm consistency and light pink. Contact your dentist immediately if your gums have a lump, are dark red and bleed easily, or show other symptoms of periodontitis. The sooner you request treatment from your doctor, the less you will be affected by the devastating consequences of periodontitis and protect your overall health. Although there are different types of periodontitis, the most common is chronic periodontitis, which affects people over the age of 35. The type of periodontitis that affects children and young adults is called aggressive periodontitis.

Complications:

Some complications of gum disease can come as a bad surprise. Studies have shown that the bacteria responsible for periodontitis participate in the bloodstream and affect different parts of the body. For example, bacteria can reach the heart vessels and trigger a fire process that can cause vasoconstriction in that area. This, in turn, means that the process that leads to a heart attack begins.

Complications Caused or Accompanied by Periodontitis:

• Bad breath
• Tooth loss
• Coronary artery disease
• Landing
• Low-weight childbirth
• Diabetes without control
• Respiratory problems

Flap Operation (Pocket Elimination Surgery)

This procedure is performed to eliminate the focus of the disease, which we call the gingival pocket (shallow pocket) and to regain the bone tissue lost with it. As if cutting a long nail from the edge of the gum, the gum is removed by making some cuts. By opening the gums, the inflammatory tissue that comes under us is cleaned, the root surface is cleaned and leveled by seeing it easily. Your bone shape can be corrected and, if possible, bone augmentation procedures are performed. The gum is sewn back into place by giving it an anotomic shape. This operation is usually performed on one half of the jaw at a time. If the entire mouth needs such treatment, the treatment is terminated in a total of 4 sessions with a record of once a week. The operation of a zone takes about 45min – 1 hour.

Soft Tissue Grafts

As a result of periodontitis or due to some anatomical reasons, the gums may be pulled out, and sometimes this may make it necessary to transplant the gums to this area. Before going into details, gum transplantation takes place in the form of removing a thin piece of gum from your palate and suturing it to the missing gum area. This process positively affects both the aesthetic appearance, covers the exposed root surface and protects the root from external factors (caries), and indirectly contributes to the long-term health of the region by ensuring that the cleaning of this area is carried out comfortably. In advanced stages of periodontitis, the melting of the bone surrounding the tooth root will also increase. Depending on the shape of the decaying bone, a bone graft of about 0.5 – 1 mm in size is applied to the bone loss site to sometimes gain all or part of this lost bone. These grafts can be synthetic and organic. The bone graft applied aims to keep the tooth in the mouth as a result. A bone graft placed creates the appropriate environment for the patient to make their own bone and makes the necessary encouragement.