Periodontal disease is an inflammatory condition affecting the tooth-supporting tissues, including the gums, cementum, periodontal ligament, and alveolar bone. It is one of the most common oral diseases and a leading cause of tooth loss. However, not all these tissues are affected simultaneously. Depending on the severity and extent of local inflammation, periodontal disease can be classified into two main categories: gingivitis and periodontitis. The primary causes of periodontal disease are often local factors such as dental plaque, tartar, food impaction, and poorly fitted restorations. In some cases, systemic conditions like immune deficiencies, endocrine disorders, malnutrition, subcutaneous nodules, kidney disease, or genetic factors may also contribute. The disease can occur at any age, with no significant gender differences.

bubble_chart Clinical Manifestations

1. Gingivitis is mainly characterized by the rounding and smoothing of the gums and gingival papillae, loss of stippling, soft and fragile gingival texture, lack of elasticity, bleeding upon gingival probing, and the presence of local dental plaque or calculus.

2. In addition to the manifestations of gingivitis, periodontitis also includes the formation of periodontal pockets, possible pus discharge from the pockets, varying degrees of tooth mobility, and X-ray images showing varying degrees of alveolar bone resorption.

bubble_chart Auxiliary Examination

1. Blood routine test

2. General radiography

3. Secretion and tissue culture + drug sensitivity

bubble_chart Diagnosis

1. Physical stimulation of the gums can easily cause bleeding.

2. The affected gum area shows congestion and edema. In cases of periodontitis, periodontal pockets can be detected, and the teeth exhibit varying degrees of looseness.

bubble_chart Treatment Measures

1. Remove local irritating factors, eliminate dental calculus and plaque, and actively treat systemic diseases.

2. For more severe periodontitis, gingival flap surgery can be performed, and for excessive gingival hyperplasia, hyperplastic gingivectomy may be considered.

3. Antibiotic therapy.

4. Chinese medicinals treatment.

5. Guide patients to establish good oral hygiene and health care.

For the medication treatment of periodontal disease, the focus is primarily on the acute inflammatory phase, where effective antibiotics are used to control the progression of inflammation and improve symptoms. After the inflammation is controlled, the more critical step is local treatment, such as thoroughly removing dental plaque, calculus, or replacing faulty restorations, addressing both the symptoms and the root cause. If the condition is caused by systemic diseases, coordinated treatment with relevant specialists should be pursued.

bubble_chart Prognosis

1. Cure: Symptoms and signs disappear.

2. Improvement: Symptoms and signs are significantly reduced.

3. No cure: Symptoms and signs do not improve.