Can periodontitis be cured?

Written by Li Bao Hua
Dentistry
Updated on February 07, 2025
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Periodontitis is divided into early and late stages. Early periodontitis can be cured, while late periodontitis is difficult to treat and may require tooth extraction if severe. Periodontitis is an inflammatory, destructive resorption that occurs in the periodontal supporting tissues. There are usually significant amounts of dental calculus and plaque around the teeth. The initial treatment involves removing these through teeth cleaning. After cleaning, applying medication through rinsing around the gums can be helpful, and in many cases, this can lead to a cure. Generally, early periodontitis does not involve noticeable absorption of the alveolar bone. However, in advanced stages, the formation of periodontal pockets and absorption of the alveolar or jaw bone represent severe manifestations of periodontitis. If it is difficult to maintain or restore oral health through basic treatment in such cases, tooth extraction may be necessary.

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Written by Li Bao Hua
Dentistry
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How is periodontitis treated at the dentist?

The treatment plan for periodontitis and caries requires first taking an X-ray to understand the severity of the periodontitis. If the periodontitis is not severe and is merely inflammation of the gum tissue, characterized by red, swollen gums, pus discharge, or bleeding, this situation can be addressed by dental cleaning to remove local irritants, followed by medicated rinsing around the gums to improve inflammation. If the periodontitis is more severe, involving absorption of the alveolar bone, then guided bone regeneration procedures are necessary. After basic treatment of the periodontitis, the teeth enter a maintenance phase, requiring regular follow-up visits.

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Written by Peng Ting
Dentistry
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What are the symptoms of periodontitis?

Periodontitis is caused by the invasion of plaque and bacteria into the periodontal supporting tissues, including the gums, periodontal membrane, dentin, and alveolar bone, leading to chronic inflammation and destruction of these tissues. Healthy gums are pink in color, thin at the edges, and tightly adhere to the tooth surface; they are also tough and not prone to bleeding. When periodontitis occurs, there is a significant accumulation of tartar on the tooth surface. This tartar irritates the gums, causing them to become red and swollen, soft in texture, and prone to bleeding upon contact. Periodontal pockets may form, and in severe cases, pus may exude from these pockets. The absorption of the alveolar bone and loosening of the teeth can eventually lead to tooth loss.

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Written by Zhan Jun Yan
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Where to treat periodontitis?

Under normal circumstances, patients with periodontitis should seek treatment at the periodontics department of a formal hospital. Professional periodontists will perform periodontal cleaning, scaling, root planing, periodontal flap surgery, etc. on the teeth. These periodontal treatment methods can effectively remove a series of infectious substances such as tartar, plaque, and soft deposits adhered to the teeth, thereby achieving the purpose of curing periodontitis. Additionally, periodontitis requires long-term, continuous treatment. It is essential to follow the doctor's advice, revisit regularly, and have teeth cleaned every six months or annually to maintain the current condition of the periodontium and prevent further inflammation.

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Written by Li Bao Hua
Dentistry
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How is periodontitis caused?

Periodontitis is a destructive inflammatory condition of the periodontal supporting tissues. The primary initiating factor of periodontitis is dental plaque, which occurs due to not brushing or rinsing promptly after eating. Over time, soft deposits accumulate around the teeth, which can calcify into tartar. The tartar contains a large amount of biofilm, such as the dental plaque biofilm, which can damage and cause bleeding or congestion in the gingival tissues, manifesting as bleeding when brushing teeth or eating. If gingivitis is not treated in time, it may lead to periodontitis. Periodontitis is also related to other systemic factors, such as genetic factors or smoking, mental stress, etc. Sometimes, discoloration of the tooth surfaces or food impaction can also cause periodontitis.

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Written by Li Bao Hua
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Can you get your teeth cleaned during periodontitis?

Periodontitis is an inflammation of the supporting tissues around the teeth, commonly seen as gingivitis or periodontitis. In the early stages of gingivitis or periodontitis, dental calculus and soft plaque accumulate on the surface of the teeth, irritating the gum tissue and causing the gums to become red, suppurate, or even bleed. This condition requires prompt dental cleaning. Through ultrasonic oscillation, the dental calculus attached around the teeth is removed. If there is subgingival calculus, dental cleaning alone may not completely remove it, and subgingival scaling is also necessary, using specialized tools to manually remove the subgingival calculus.