Periodontal disease is a disease that affects periodontal tissues. It affects the alveolar bone, periodontal ligament, cementum and the gum line. Periodontal diseases are classified into two categories, namely gingivitis and periodontitis. If left unchecked or untreated the infection can spread to the bone and cause destruction of tissues. Treatment options for periodontal disease include regenerative and surgical procedures. If detected early, periodontal diseases can be easily controlled by maintaining good oral hygiene.
Scaling and root planning are common treatment procedures which are employed to treat periodontal disease. Scaling is performed to remove the plaque layer from the teeth. Depending on the extent of infection, the treatment procedure will vary. In the case of extreme periodontal disease, there may be a loss of bony tissue due to spread of infection.
Maintenance of proper oral hygiene is an essential part of the treatment procedure. This is called "periodontal maintenance". If infection is detected in the initial stages, the treatment options are much more successful. For this reason, it is recommended to visit the dentist often after periodontal treatment.
