Periodontology
Periodontal diseases - what is it?
The prevalence of chronic inflammatory diseases of periodontal tissues in the adult population has reached 98%. With the development and progress of humanity, the incidence of inflammatory periodontal diseases (IPD) has sharply increased. While in the early 20th century, this disease was found in individuals 40 years and older, by the 80s-90s, IPD globally seemed to "get younger". What causes them?
The primary cause of chronic inflammatory periodontal diseases is dental deposits - soft dental plaque and tartar, which form due to insufficient oral hygiene, anatomical features of the dentomaxillary system, changes in the qualitative and quantitative composition of the microflora, decreased defense mechanisms of the body, etc.
When the balance between pathogenic microorganisms and the protective forces of periodontal tissues and the body is disturbed, chronic inflammation develops in the gum tissues - chronic catarrhal gingivitis. This is a reversible condition and, if treated properly at this stage, the process will go into remission.
With prolonged exposure to pathogens in gum tissues against a background of systemic disturbances, further pathomorphological changes occur, and gingivitis turns into periodontitis: the periodontal attachment is destroyed, a periodontal pocket forms, the oral epithelium grows into it, subgingival dental deposits appear, which in turn deepens the pocket.
A long-standing inflammatory process leads to atrophy of the gum tissues, periodontium (destruction of the ligaments holding the tooth in the alveolus) and, as a result, the atrophy of the alveolar bone tissue and the replacement of healthy tissues with granulations, tooth loss and, consequently, a decline in the quality of life, impaired masticatory efficiency, gastrointestinal problems, etc.
