What Does Periodontology Mean?
Periodontology is a significant branch in the field of dental health, focusing specifically on gum diseases and their treatment. The term for this specialty is derived from the Greek words ‘peri’ (around) and ‘odont’ (tooth), thus periodontology focuses on the structures surrounding the tooth.
Periodontologists, experts in gum treatment, play a crucial role in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of gum diseases. Gum disease is typically a chronic infection caused by bacterial plaque and can lead to severe damage in the mouth if not treated, including bone loss and ultimately, tooth loss.
The importance of periodontology becomes evident here; healthy teeth are vital not just for a good smile but also for overall health. Infections resulting from gum disease can spread throughout the body and lead to many serious health problems, including heart disease. Therefore, the gum treatment provided by periodontology is critical for maintaining a healthy life.
What is Periodontology?
Periodontology is an important sub-discipline in dental health, focusing specifically on the treatment of gum diseases and surrounding tissues. In other words, periodontology aims to control inflammations and infections that can damage the structures in the oral cavity.
Gum diseases usually arise from inflammations caused by bacterial plaques, leading to redness, swelling, and bleeding of the gums. In more advanced stages, it can cause serious issues, including tooth loss.
Periodontology is not limited to gum treatment; it also focuses on procedures such as gum surgery and implant surgery. Periodontologists can also diagnose and treat diseases of the oral mucosa (the tissue lining the inside of the mouth).
What Does Periodontology Focus On?
Periodontology focuses especially on the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of gum diseases. Periodontists are highly skilled in identifying and treating problems in the gums or surrounding tissues.
In gum treatment, periodontists use both non-surgical procedures (like deep cleaning) and surgical procedures (such as reshaping the gums). The goal in both approaches is to restore the health of the gums and prevent future issues.
The main objective of periodontology is to focus on oral health, offering all necessary treatments to maintain your gum health. Hence, the importance of regular dental check-ups; they allow for the early diagnosis and effective treatment of potential problems.
Periodontology as a Dental Specialty
Periodontology is one of the very important branches of dental health and care. Specialists in this field are particularly trained and experienced in gum treatment. The health of the gums forms the foundation of overall dental health, making the periodontology branch an integral part of any dentistry program.
Like all other dental disciplines, periodontology belongs to a specific department. This department is usually called “periodontology” or “gum diseases” in dental faculties. The training in this department provides students with both theoretical knowledge and practical experience.
Specialists in this field are called periodontologists, and their primary task is usually the diagnosis and treatment of gum diseases. In addition, periodontologists can perform more complex procedures involving implant surgery. However, they primarily focus on gum treatment because the health of the gums is directly related to overall oral health.
Experts in periodontology evaluate patients’ gum health to create personalized treatment plans.
Why is Periodontology Important?
Although many people think periodontology is only related to gum treatment, this discipline encompasses much more. One of the most important aspects of periodontology is maintaining overall oral health, especially the health of the gums.
Gums are our first line of defense against bacteria and plaque in the mouth. Healthy gums are very important for keeping these harmful elements at bay. However, infections or diseases in the gums can weaken this defense mechanism and damage other tissues in the mouth. This is where periodontology comes in.
Periodontologists are experts in diagnosing and treating gum diseases. They have a broad knowledge and experience to identify the factors causing gum disease and develop an appropriate treatment plan. Thus, they can intervene even in the early stages of gum disease to prevent more serious complications.
If you’re looking for an expert team for gum treatment in Istanbul, our dental clinic in Kadıköy, Alyans Clinic, is here with its specialist periodontologists.
