What is periodontal disease?

 There are two basic forms of periodontal disease.

Gingivitis, in the usual, milder form is a reversible disease of the gums that can be controlled by excellent home care (what we call plaque control), and routine professional cleaning. If left untreated, it can progress to a severe, very painful form of the disease called acute necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis, also called ANUG or NUG. This form of the disease is typically associated with a history of poor home care, lack of professional cleaning, stress and often smoking. 

If treated early, the destruction of this disease processes is reversible. If not treated, it can irreversibly destroy the bone and other supporting structures of the teeth.

Periodontitis, often referred to as "pyorrhea," is a disease of the gums and bone that hold our teeth in the jaws. If untreated, it will cause premature loss of teeth. It is an insidious type of infection that usually has no symptoms. However, in severe cases the teeth will slowly drift, resulting in spaces between teeth that were not originally present. Teeth may become sensitive to hot or cold. 

In mild to moderate periodontitis, these signs may be absent.  The only way to tell if there is a problem is by measuring the pockets  around the teeth (i.e., spaces under the gums).   When pockets are 5 millimeters and greater, the risk of continued breakdown or abscess formation is very high. It should be noted that the greater the pocket depth, the greater the risk of tooth loss.