Aetiology of Periodontal Disease Flashcards
Describe a healthy periodontium
- Pink, firm, scalloped gingiva with knife-edged papillae
- Free gingiva + attached gingiva
Describe how gingivitis (reversible) occurs
Supragingival plaque builds up → gingivitis
Describe how periodontitis (irreversible) occurs
- From gingivitis, crevice deepens and plaque extends subgingivally → periodontitis
What are the clinical features of plaque-induced gingivitis
- Red, swollen, bleeding gingiva
- Blunting of papillae
- False pocket (not associated w/ bone loss)
What are some key features of periodontitis
- Loss of periodontal connective tissue
- Apical migration of junctional epithelium
- Alveolar bone loss
Whats the main cause of periodontal diseases
Microbial plaque
What are the risk factors of periodontal diseases
- Local
- Systemic
Describe supragingival plaque in terms of:
Flora?
(An)aerobic?
Species diversity?
- Gram +ve cocci, rods
- Aerobic unless thick layer
- Little initially, increases
Describe subgingival plaque in terms of:
Flora?
(An)aerobic?
Species diversity?
- Gram -ve rods, spirochetes
- Highly anaerobic
- Great
Describe supragingival calculus
- Creamy yellow
- Accumilates around the openings of the salivary ducts
Describe subgingival calculus
- Dark brown/black
- Any subgingival location in mouth
- Contains mineral salts from gingival crevicular fluid
What’s periodontal disease a balance between
- A host
- An environment
- The bacteria
What’s the non-specific plaque hypothesis
‘Indigenous bacteria that all contribute to plaque formation’
What’s the specific plaque hypothesis
‘Specific pathogens contribute to plaque formation’
What’s the ecological plaque hypothesis
‘There is a microbial balance and homeostasis to plaque formation’
