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What is periodontitis?
When gum disease begins to
affect the bone support of the teeth, it is called periodontitis.
Periodontitis literally means "inflammation of
the tissues around the teeth."
There are varying degrees of periodontitis:
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In early periodontitis, there
are signs of slight bone loss around the teeth in some areas. Pockets around
the teeth are from four to five millimeters. This is
something to be concerned about, because, left untreated, it will without a
doubt progress until the teeth are weakened. However, in early periodontitis
there is no noticeable weakening of the teeth and no immediate danger of
teeth falling out or other serious problems. It's a chronic, slow-moving
problem that should be stopped so it doesn't go any further. |
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Moderate periodontitis is more
serious. There could be substantial bone loss on some teeth. Some of the
teeth could be loose. Pockets around the teeth are deeper—they
are generally four to six millimeters or more and are general around a
number of teeth—not just a few. In moderate periodontitis we have some
significant loss of attachment between the gum and the tooth. |
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In advanced periodontitis
there is generalized serious bone loss all over the mouth. Pocket depths are
six millimeters and more. There may be around five millimeters of attachment
loss around a number of teeth. The teeth are generally loose, and, as the
disease progresses, they may even fall out spontaneously. Teeth often drift
in advanced periodontitis.
Treatment of advanced periodontitis is difficult, and may be futile. |
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