Periodontitis is a bacterial infection which affects the soft tissue in which the teeth are bedded and also the bone, i.e. the anchoring of the teeth. A number of different factors are responsible for this disorder. These include a genetic predisposition, the presence of special bacterial strains, and, last but not least, incorrect dental hygiene in the home. The progression of this infection ultimately results in that the bone supporting the teeth suffers a deterioration and pockets, which patients are then unable to clean adequately, occur in the gums.

In most cases, the infection is not chronic and often causes the patient no pain, so that many sufferers only realize the problem when it has become too late and the teeth start to become loose or even fall out. In Germany, periodontitis is, alongside tooth decay, the most widespread oral disorder. A 2005 study into the oral health of the German population carried out in 2005 under the auspices of the German Dental Association and the Medical Association of Dentists revealed that about 73% of Germans in the age group 35 – 44 are affected by periodontitis. 88% of senior citizens, i.e. those over 65, suffer from this disorder.

Early detection is thus very important because life-long preservation of the health of teeth is now the absolute priority in modern, patient-oriented dentistry. The first step to diagnosis is a visit to the dentist. He is able to measure the depth of pockets and the extent of other aggravating factors (e.g. dental scale), and, via a Periodontal Screening Index (PSI code), reveal whether or not a patient is suffering from periodontitis. In Germany, since 2004 the cost of this  examination (every two years) is covered by the non-private health insurance organizations (Krankenkassen).

Periodontal pretreatment:

The first step in treating periodontitis is to carry out periodontal pretreatment to reduce the number of germs in the oral cavity to a minimum by intensive precleaning. We then instruct patients as to how they can continue prevention in the home environment by such measures as more frequent changes of toothbrush, rinsing with antibacterial solutions and applying dental floss and brushes when cleaning their teeth.

During this time, a  bacterial swab is taken and the bacteria located in the pocket identified. According to which strains of bacteria are identified, a course of systematic antibiotic therapy is prescribed, which, if not carried out, may endanger the chances of a successful outcome.

Intensive pocket and root cleaning:

The second stage of treatment involves removing bacterial deposits from the surfaces of roots and pockets in the gums under local anaesthetic, also smoothing the root surfaces as a countermeasure to renewed bacterial deposits. This treatment is pain-free and is carried out using an ultrasonic technique which is minimally invasive. This needs to be followed up by a number of short posttreatment appointments at weekly intervals. Once healed, the gingiva (gums) regain their former smoothness, return to their original light pink colour and signs of infection, such as bleeding of the gums, are reduced. Bone which has been lost cannot be restored, but if everything goes well there is no more deterioration of the bone.

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