Diagnosis | Treatment | Maintenance
Periodontal disease is diagnosed by your dentist or dental hygienist during a periodontal examination. This type of exam should always be part of your regular dental check-up.
A periodontal probe (small dental instrument) is gently used to measure the sulcus (pocket or space) between the tooth and the gums. The depth of a healthy sulcus measures three millimeters or less and does not bleed. The periodontal probe helps indicate if pockets are deeper than three millimeters. As periodontal disease progresses, the pockets usually get deeper.
Your dentist or hygienist will use pocket depths, amount of bleeding, inflammation, tooth mobility, etc., to make a diagnosis that will fall into a category below:
Gingivitis is the first stage of periodontal disease. Plaque and its toxin by-products irritate the gums, making them tender, inflamed, and likely to bleed.
Plaque hardens into calculus (tartar). As calculus and plaque continue to build up, the gums begin to recede from the teeth. Deeper pockets form between the gums and teeth and become filled with bacteria and pus. The gums become very irritated, inflamed, and bleed easily. Slight to moderate bone loss may be present.
The teeth lose more support as the gums, bone, and periodontal ligament continue to be destroyed. Unless treated, the affected teeth will become very loose and may be lost. Generalized moderate to severe bone loss may be present.
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Award Winning Service
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(919) 469-2122
3607 Davis Dr.
Suite 209
Morrisville, NC 27560
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(919) 554-9955
3415 Rogers Rd
Suite 100
Wake Forest, NC 27587
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(919) 557-7799
1625 N. Main St.
Suite 201
Fuquay-Varina, NC 27526
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(919) 468-1777
7535 Carpenter Fire
Station Rd Ste 201
Cary NC, 27519
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(919) 335-4100
1460 Kelly Road
Apex, NC 27502
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(919) 626-9977
7860 Brier Creek Pkwy,
Suite 100
Raleigh, NC 27617
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