Many people do not fully understand how periodontitis differs from periodontal disease. Although these dental diseases are similar in sound, they have significant differences. The same applies to symptoms and treatment methods. Although there is one similarity, both varieties pose a serious threat. Therefore, do not ignore the fact of their presence.
What is periodontitis
The term periodontitis is considered to be the inflammatory process of periodontal tissues, as a result of which all the tissue surrounding the tooth is affected, due to which the bone itself is seriously damaged. Over time, the infection leads to the destruction of the tissue on which the dental element itself is held. As a result, everything ends with his loss.
Periodontitis can take several forms, depending on several factors. If the inflammation is concentrated only around one tooth, then this is a localized type, and with the defeat of several elements, here we are talking about a generalized disease. And depending on the nature of the course, dental pathology can be acute or chronic.
What is the difference between periodontal disease and periodontitis? Photos clearly show that with the development of the first disease, the gums become inflamed. Signs of the second pathological condition are manifested in the form of exposure of the roots of the teeth.
What is considered to be periodontal disease
Periodontal disease is a pathological process leading to degeneration of the posterior tissue (periodontal). Based on this, it can not be considered an inflammatory disease. The insidiousness of the pathological process lies in the fact that it begins in the absence of painful sensations and for this reason its changes are quite difficult to detect. The healing procedure usually begins when an already severe form of pathology is diagnosed.
As a rule, patients turn to a specialist with an aesthetic complaint when the gums sag, exposing the roots of the teeth. Sometimes the patient may feel itching in the gums. Due to such scarcity in relation to characteristic signs, periodontal disease develops slowly.
Features
To understand the difference between two rather common diseases, it is necessary to understand their etymology of occurrence. What is the difference between periodontitis and periodontal disease, it is clearly visible in the photo, and as noted above, they have not only different reasons, but they also have enough individual characteristics regarding the symptomatology.
Let's start by listing the causes that are not always the result of any disturbances in the oral cavity. For this reason, the diagnosis and treatment should not be limited only to the solution of dental problems. Specialists from various fields of medicine take part here.
And then we touch on the manifestation of characteristic signs. The main thing is not to ignore the presence of a problem, otherwise it will lead to tooth loss, and new elements will not grow anymore (milk teeth are an exception to the rule).
Etymology of Periodontitis
The main reasons can be considered the following situations:
- Poor oral hygiene. This reason can be considered fundamental - with inadequate care due to the products of the vital activity of microorganisms, the first thing the blow perceives is the mucous membrane of the gums, and then the process affects deeper bone tissues.
- Diseases of the internal organs. Another difference between periodontal disease and periodontitis, and this can include metabolic disorders, disruption of the endocrine system, vitamin imbalance, gastrointestinal diseases, damage to the cardiovascular system, pathological conditions of an autoimmune and allergic nature.
- Abnormal development of the dentition. Due to the curvature of the dentition or with an incorrect bite on the tissue, the load is distributed unevenly. In addition, this leads to a deterioration in self-cleaning of the oral cavity and bruxism ("tooth grinding").
- Unprofessionalism of the dentist. Unfortunately, in some clinics they can perform poor-quality filling and prosthetics work. As a result, such poor-quality manipulations lead to tissue injuries.
Each of these factors in combination with a weak immune system leads to the development of the inflammatory process of periodontal tissues.
Causes of periodontal disease
What is the difference between periodontitis and periodontal disease? The exact reasons for the development of this kind of pathology have not yet been elucidated.
Most often, its appearance is associated with internal diseases of the body. In this regard, the main triggering factors are:
- Hereditary predisposition.
- Diseases of the vascular system, which lead to a violation of the blood supply to the gums.
- The presence of diabetes.
- Hypovitaminosis.
- Weakening of the body’s immune system.
- Various diseases in the chronic stage.
- Erosive changes in enamel and other dental problems.
In addition, the cause of this disease may lie in the influence of local factors. Errors during prosthetics, ignoring the treatment of caries, pathogens, which are usually full in plaque - all this significantly increases the risks of developing periodontal disease.
The manifestation of periodontitis
The difference between periodontal disease and periodontitis in the main initial signs of the latter is bleeding of the gum tissue, which is sometimes accompanied by pain. At this stage of the disease, treatment is most effective - the periodontal ligament surrounding the tooth and connecting it with neighboring elements has not yet been affected. It is thanks to her that the entire load on the dentition is distributed evenly.
In the advanced case, due to the destruction of this ligament, a periodontal pocket is formed , which significantly complicates the treatment process due to the large amount of soft plaque. During a visual examination, a change in the position of the teeth and the gap between them can be detected. Chewing is becoming increasingly difficult, and the dentition has mobility, which should not be. This is due to the destruction of the gum tissue, which leads to loosening of the teeth.
How to distinguish periodontal disease from periodontitis? It is possible to identify signs of the latter by other manifestations:
- the presence of halitosis;
- itching
- throbbing in the gums;
- mobility and displacement of the dentition;
- endogenous intoxication;
- bleeding gums;
- discomfort when chewing food.
As the disease develops, the dentition becomes more and more loose, the necks of the elements begin to be exposed. If you do not take any action, you can lose almost healthy teeth. When the chronic form of the disease begins to worsen, this is manifested by a deterioration in the patient's condition. The patient at this moment feels acute pain sensations of a pulsating nature, his temperature rises, the gum swells, turns red, pus accumulates in the gingival pocket. And all this against the backdrop of malaise and loss of strength.
Characteristic signs of periodontal disease
With the development of this pathological state of the inflammatory process, there is no such one, instead, the disease is manifested by exposure of the necks of the teeth, which occurs as a result of the destruction of tissues around the tooth. The initial stage does not betray itself with anything - no pain, or other unpleasant sensations. And, perhaps, this is the surest sign of how periodontal disease differs from periodontitis.
At the same time, the dentition is able to remain in a fixed position for a long time. However, this lasts until a certain point - until the tooth is bared by two-thirds. Also, during the examination at the dentist, you can notice small dental deposits, pallor of the gums, but the gingival pockets, as well as the discharge of purulent masses, are not observed.
Differences in treatment methods
Before prescribing the necessary course of treatment, the specialist must accurately establish the diagnosis. At the same time, periodontitis can be easily detected by bleeding gums, while periodontal disease can be diagnosed at the initial stage only by a picture.
In order to establish a variety of microorganisms that contributed to the development of pathology, microflora culture is taken. The specific treatment technique in each case is different. To analyze the difference between periodontal disease and periodontitis, we will start with the last ailment.
Features of the treatment of periodontitis
When making a diagnosis, periodontitis should not be delayed with treatment. And it in this case is carried out comprehensively and success largely depends not only on the professionalism of the doctor, but also on the actions of the patient, who should follow all the instructions of a specialist. In this case, the technique includes drug and surgical therapy.
Since plaque is a source of infection, it is important to remove it completely. This is done by a professional cleaning procedure mechanically or using ultrasound. It is painless and recommended every six months, at least. After the tartar is removed, the elements are polished and coated with a special protective fluorine-containing varnish.
At the next stage of treatment (if necessary), the doctor prescribes the use of antibacterial drugs, which helps to eliminate inflammation of periodontal tissues. As for antibiotics, they are prescribed if the patient has complaints of severe pain and the formation of deep periodontal pockets filled with infection.
What is done with periodontal disease
How is periodontal disease different from periodontitis in terms of treatment? This should be done by a highly qualified specialist, which is a periodontist dentist. But at the same time, several specialists take part in the treatment of this disease at the same time. The first step is to connect a doctor who conducts a detailed examination. Then the patient goes to another specialist to identify diseases of the internal organs. And only after these examinations will an appropriate course of treatment be prescribed.
The whole point is to stabilize the pathological condition, which includes the following measures:
- Professional cleaning.
- Physiotherapy (using a laser, vacuum and respiratory therapy, electrophoresis with calcium gluconate, darsonvalization) - blood supply to the gum tissue improves.
- Reception of hormonal, anti-inflammatory drugs, vitamins, antiseptics.
- Treatment of carious lesions; roots and decayed teeth are also removed.
- Dental splinting procedure.
- Further prosthetics.
- gum massage.
As you can understand, periodontal disease has its own peculiarities regarding treatment, where the experience of many doctors is used. As the best remedy for disease prevention, it is the observance of thorough oral hygiene. And you need to learn this from childhood!
In conclusion
What is the difference between periodontitis and periodontal disease, we now understand, as well as the fact that each of the diseases under consideration has unpleasant consequences for the teeth. To avoid the occurrence of dental problems, you must regularly visit the dentist.
This will allow, if necessary, to start treatment in a timely manner and keep your teeth intact. Compliance with the basic rules of hygiene, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, a balanced diet - all this contributes best to this!