My teeth feel fine, do I still need to see a Periodontist?
One of the most common reasons a patient is referred to a periodontist by their dentist or hygienist is to evaluate loss of supporting bone or gum pocketing around the teeth. Periodontal disease is a low grade inflammatory process caused by oral bacteria or plaque. The inflammatory process gradually destroys soft tissue and supporting bone. As the bone levels recede closer to the root tips, the gum tissue that was formerly attached around the neck of the tooth separates creating the so-called “periodontal pocket”. The hallmark of periodontal disease is that it does not cause pain until the end stages. A patient may suffer significant destruction of the supporting bone with increased pocket depth and be totally unaware this process is taking place. It has been well documented that you the patient can only clean approximately 2-3mm within the gum tissue pocket. Pocket depths can only be determined by a periodontal probing. If you have pocket depths greater than 3mm it may be impossible f
Related Questions
- On my way to and from work I feel fine but once I get into the office I begin to feel sluggish, my eyes burn and I have a headache all day. What is happening?
- I was feeling better a few days after my surgery, but now my teeth feel high and tender when I bite, my jaws ache and even my ear hurts. What’s happening?
- When I floss, my gums bleed. If they dont hurt and my teeth look fine, is it really a big deal?
