If you find yourself wondering “what is a periodontal disease”, you might be surprised to learn that it’s just another name for gum disease. This kind of disease is actually one of the most common oral conditions in Australia and can range from mild gum inflammation to more advanced disease that involves damage to the tissue and bone that support your teeth. The most serious cases involve tooth loss, which is unfortunate since this condition is entirely preventable.

Gum disease is associated with the build-up of plaque and eventually tartar on your teeth. Mouths are the perfect breeding grounds for a range of bacteria, and when combined with mucus and other particles, plaque begins to form on the teeth. Eventually, this plaque can harden to become tartar, and no amount of brushing or flossing can remove tartar.

Gingivitis is the inflammation of the gums. As the gums become red and swollen, they tend to bleed more and this is usually the first noticeable indication that periodontal disease is progressing. Still, gingivitis is a very mild form of gum disease that can almost always be treated with regular brushing and flossing, in addition to regular cleanings by a dentist or hygienist.

However, left untreated, gingivitis will only worsen. Eventually, periodontitis, or inflammation around the tooth, develops. This stage of periodontal disease is characterized by the gums pulling away from the teeth forming pockets that are easily infected. Your body will initiate an immune response, and this response, together with toxins from bacteria, can cause the bone and connective tissue in your mouth to break down. Treatment becomes increasingly important, especially if you want to avoid tooth loss. After the time, periodontal disease will destroy the bones, gums and tissue that support the teeth, and teeth will loosen and may need to be removed.

Periodontal disease usually emerges in your 30s or 40s, but the disease does not affect everybody. Smokers, people with diabetes, and men are more likely to develop gum disease. Hormonal changes in girls and women are associated with this condition as are certain medications that affect saliva flow. Moreover, individuals with poor oral hygiene are considerably more likely to suffer periodontal disease than those who engage in regular brushing, flossing, and dental checkups.

Some common symptoms of periodontal disease include:

• Persistent halitosis
• Red, swollen gums
• Tender or bleeding gums
• Pain when chewing
• Loose or sensitive teeth
• Receding Gums

If you suspect you are suffering from periodontal disease, visit your dentist immediately. Treatment will focus on controlling infections, and depending on the extent of the disease, your dentist will recommend various treatments. Obviously, improved dental hygiene is often the first step, but other behavioural interventions, such as quitting smoking, may be required.

Failures of dental implants are infrequent. Dental implant surgery has a success rate of 99%.  The failure of surgery is due to the poor selection of patients. Implants fail for many reasons. They may be biological or microbiological factors, biomechanical factors, biomaterial factors or surface treatments of implants. The complications involved in the dental implant procedure are nerve damage, infection, implant rejection by the body and rupture of the implant itself.

Poor oral hygiene is the most common cause of dental implant failure. The accumulation of plaque and debris around teeth and implants increases the concentration of bacteria. Good oral hygiene can greatly reduce infection.

Poor selection of the patient is another reason for the failure of the dental implant. Patients whose quality or quantity of bone is sufficient to withstand the implant’s mounting only must be selected for implant surgery. Otherwise, the implants are doomed to be absolute failures. The dentist should clearly check the medical history and systematic health of the patient before surgery.

Another possible reason for the failure of the implant is a lower surgical technique. Implant failure may result from insufficient irrigation of the surgical site or low torque and excessive drilling speed during placement. Failure results from an extreme temperature rise in the bone during placement, resulting in necrosis of the supporting bone around the implant. Inadequate implant restorations may also contribute to implant failure. Improperly restored implants may have overhangs or be over-profiled, resulting in plaque buildup and ultimate failure. Another research has shown that smoking can result in higher rates of dental implant failure.

Smoking is exceptionally harmful to all oral tissues, especially when implants are present. It affects bones and soft tissues’ healing, reducing nutrients and minerals in tissues and reducing blood supply. To help keep support bones and gums healthy and resistant to infection, the implant patient should not smoke

As a result of Dental implant failure, this can result in periodontal diseases which affect the gum.