Chapter 55: periodontics Flashcards
is the dental specialty involved in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the supporting tissues.
periodontics
Patients are referred to a periodontist’s office by a _______ or a ________ for treatment of a periodontal condition that requires the skill and knowledge of a specialist.
general dentist or a dental hygienist
A periodontal examination includes:
- patient’s medical and dental history
- radiographic evaluation
- examination of the teeth
- examination of the oral tissues and supporting structures
- periodontal charting.
includes pocket readings, furcations, tooth mobility, exudate (pus), and gingival recession.
periodontal charting
Systemic diseases, such as acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, or diabetes, can lower resistance of the tissue to infection.
t or f
TRUE
what is the dental history used to gather?
information about conditions that could indicate periodontal disease.
patients with this disease often complain of bleeding gums, loose teeth, or a bad taste.
periodontal disease
a condition where a shift in the position of the teeth is caused by loss of periodontal support.
pathologic migration
a condition which places excessive biting forces on the teeth and may accelerate bone loss.
bruxism
can cause dental prostheses to retain plaque and increase the risk for periodontal disease.
Defective restorations or bridgework
a condition where certain tooth areas can prevent the teeth from occluding properly. These interferences do not directly cause periodontal disease but can contribute to mobility, migration, and temporomandibular joint pain.
Occlusal interferences
Teeth normally have a slight amount of
mobility. t or f
TRUE
is the primary cause of gingival inflammation and most other forms of periodontal disease.
plaque
hard mineralized plaque. May be supragingival (above the gingivae) or subgingival.
It is a contributing factor in periodontal disease because it is always covered with plaque.
calculus
As disease progresses, the gingiva may recede, leaving portions of the roots of the teeth exposed below the cementoenamel junction
gingival recession
Severity of gingival inflammation is measured by the amount of bleeding observed during probing. Several different indices are used to measure bleeding.
Each system is based on the principle that healthy gingiva do not bleed.
bleeding index
Detects interproximal bone loss. Show changes in the bone as periodontitis progresses. Locate furcation involvements. Measure the crown-to-root ratio (the length of the clinical crown compared with the length of the root of the tooth). Show signs of traumatic occlusion.
radiographs
Early Signs of Periodontal Disease
- Changes in the gingiva (color, size, shape, texture)
- Gingival inflammation
- Gingival bleeding
- Evidence of exudates
- periodontal pockets
The severity of gingival inflammation can be measured by the _______
bleeding index
Each system is based on the principle that healthy gingiva does not _____
bleed
If excessive biting pressure is noted in a specific area,
this can result.
occlusal trauma
is a procedure that adjusts the patient’s bite so that occlusal forces are equally distributed over all the teeth.
Occlusal adjustment or occlusal equilibration
does not cause periodontal pocket formation, but it can cause tooth mobility, destruction of bone, migration of teeth, and temporomandibular joint pain.
occlusal trauma
this radiograph is particularly valuable because it can accurately depict bone height along the root surface.
Excellent for determining the extent of crestal bone loss
bitewing radiograph/ vertical bitewing radiograph
Advantages of Hand Scaling
- tactile sensitivity
- Greater control
- working in specific area/ enhanced access