Periodontal (gum) diseases, including gingivitis and periodontitis, are serious infections that, if left untreated, can lead to tooth loss. The word ‘periodontal’ literally means ‘around the tooth’. Periodontal disease is a chronic bacterial infection that affects the gums and bone supporting the teeth and can affect one tooth or many. It begins when the bacteria in plaque (the sticky, colourless film that constantly forms on teeth) causes the gums to become inflamed.

There are many forms of periodontitis. The most common include:

• Aggressive periodontitis occurs in patients who are otherwise clinically healthy. Common features include rapid attachment loss and bone destruction and familial aggregation.
• Chronic periodontitis results in inflammation within the supporting tissues of the teeth, progressive attachment and bone loss. This is the most frequently occurring form of periodontitis and is characterized by pocket formation and / or recession of the gingiva. It is prevalent in adults, but can occur at any age. Progression of attachment loss usually occurs slowly, but periods of rapid progression can occur.
• Periodontitis as a manifestation of systemic diseases often begins at a young age. Systemic conditions such as heart disease, respiratory disease, and diabetes are associated with this form of periodontitis.
• Necrotizing periodontal diseaseis an infection characterized by necrosis of gingival tissues, periodontal ligament and alveolar bone. These lesions are most commonly observed in individuals with systemic conditions such as HIV infection, malnutrition and immunosuppression.

(From www.perio.org)

The first line of defence against periodontal disease is prevention. This includes a good oral hygiene routine at home. Brushing at least twice a day and cleaning between teeth once a day with floss helps prevent plaque from accumulating. Depending on the severity of the disease, more in-depth oral hygiene instructions may be recommended. Treatment for periodontal disease varies greatly and depending on the severity, treatment may involve scaling and root planing. This means removing plaque and calculus in the pockets around the tooth and smoothing the root surfaces. Scaling and root planing helps rid the mouth of infection-causing bacteria and irritants beneath the gum line. More advanced cases may require periodontal surgical treatment. The goals of this treatment are to remove calculus from deep pockets around teeth, reduce the pockets, smooth root surfaces and arrange gum tissue into a shape that will be easier to keep clean. The many benefits of periodontal treatment include fresh breath, the ability to chew your food more easily; healthy gums that are free from infection and most importantly, helping you achieve your goal of keeping your natural teeth for a lifetime! Whatever the treatment may entail, our goal is to return you to good oral health and then to help you to maintain it.

• Consultation for periodontal and / or implant therapy:-
  We provide each patient with a detailed examination followed by a written report, treatment plan and cost estimate. This includes detailed reports to the referring colleague.
• Non-surgical and surgical periodontal therapy :-
  We treat periodontal disease with the most effective, modern and painless methods that have been scientifically proven.
• Periodontal regeneration :-
  Replaces lost or damaged tooth-supporting tissues.
• Periodontal plastic surgery :-
  Periodontal procedures aimed at stopping further dental problems associated with gum recession, and / or improving the aesthetics of your gum line.
• Surgical crown lengthening :-
  Periodontal procedures that lay the groundwork for restorative and cosmetic dentistry and / or improving the health and aesthetics of your smile.
• Repair of gingival recessions :-
  Exposed tooth roots are the result of gum recession. Soft tissue grafts can be used to cover roots or to develop gum tissue which is lost due to excessive gingival recession.
• Frenectomy :-
  A procedure often needed to remove a restraining fold of mucous membrane connecting the inside of the lip to the gum. This procedure is often necessary to facilitate the closure of a gap between front teeth.
• Root resection and/or hemi-section :-
  An outdated procedure still performed, though nowadays often replaced by the use of dental implants.
• Exposure of impacted canine teeth :-
  When eye-teeth have not erupted they can often be helped to erupt using specialised orthodontic techniques. Periodontists are exceptionally good at exposing these teeth surgically and placing attachments on the teeth that are then used by orthodontists to bring the teeth into their natural positions.
• Dental Implants :-
  We are specially trained and experienced in the provision of dental implants. We pride ourselves on a very high success rate and the ability to treat a great variety of cases.
• Bone grafting associated with implants :-
  Successful implant therapy often necessitates the need for bone grafting techniques. Periodontists are specially trained in these procedures, as they deal with regeneration of lost or damaged tooth-supporting tissues on a daily basis.
• Repair of alveolar ridge defects :-
  A key to implant success is the amount and quality of the bone where the implant is to be placed. These procedures can involve bone or gum rebuilding and are used to make the utilization of dental implants possible in cases where it would otherwise have been impossible.