Periodontitis results from other factors that are irrelevant to gingivitis.

DEFINATION

Periodontitis can simply be defined as the inflammation of the

periodontal ligaments (alveolar bone, cementum and membrane)

TYPES

Periodontitis can be divided into two: namely

-Acute Periodontitis

-Chronic Periodontitis

ACUTE

This refers to sudden and severe inflammation of the periodontal

ligaments. It is relatively uncommon and is of short duration.

Cause

Traumatic Periodontitis can be also be brought about by some external force on the teeth e.g when the tooth are hit accidentally on hard object.

CHRONIC

Chronic Periodontitis refers to slow and persist inflammation of the periodontal ligament. It is the commonest and most important types of Periodontal disease and is the main cause of loss of teeth in later adult age, the immediate cause of chronic Periodontitis is infection at gingival

margin; persistent infection at the gum margin can cause progressive inflammation and destruction of supporting tissue of the teeth.

There are three (3) main features of chronic Periodontitis

-Destruction of Periodontal Fibres

-Resorption/Loss of alveolar bone

-Formation of Periodontal pocket

The main feature of Periodontitis is the formation of pocket, the gap between the teeth and gums. Pocket around the teeth and provide a protection environment in which bacteria can grow freely. Further destruction of periodontal membrane and alveolar bone cause the

pocket deep. The natural termination of the process is loosening of the

teeth.

Causes

The primary cause of Chronic Periodontitis is accumulation of

plaque and calculus, others include:

-Wrong tooth brushing

-Some appliances e.g. crown, dentures etc.

-Some systemic diseases

-Poor restorations etc.

Clinical features

The patient may complain

-Bleeding Gum

-Painful Tooth/Teeth

-Unpleasant Odour

-Tooth Sensitivity

-Tooth Loosening

Management

Removal of deposits from the teeth carefully through scaling &

polishing should be done, scaling must be tended into the pocket

remove sub-gingival calculus.

Removal of pocket by gingivectomy and exposed the trapping bacteria.

Corrections of other irritative factors like Crown, dentures.

Home care: this includes tooth brushing& flossing by the patient

Dietary counseling.