Periodontics (Gum Specialist) — MFS Dent Bursa

Periodontics is the branch of dentistry concerned with the health of the gums and the tissues that surround and support the teeth. Bleeding gums, gum recession, swelling, bad breath and loose teeth are all assessed within this field.

A gum specialist, also known as a periodontal specialist or periodontist, focuses on diagnosing and treating diseases of these tissues. Treatment can include oral hygiene instruction, teeth cleaning (scaling), root surface cleaning, surgical procedures and regular follow-up.

What Is Periodontics and What Does It Do?

Periodontics examines the supporting tissues, including the gums, the jawbone, the root surface and the periodontal ligament. The health of the soft and hard tissues around implants also relates to this field.

The periodontics department assesses gum pockets, bleeding, recession and loss of supporting tissue. How widespread the disease is and the risk of progression are determined, and a personalized treatment plan is prepared.

Who Is Called a Gum Specialist (Periodontist)?

A dentist who has completed specialist training in diagnosing and treating gum disease is called a periodontal specialist or a periodontist. In everyday speech the terms “gum specialist”, “gum doctor” or “gum surgeon” are also used.

A periodontist does not only perform surgery. Preventive care, non-surgical periodontal treatment, managing risk factors and follow-up after treatment are also part of the work.

Do Periodontists Do Fillings?

The main role of the periodontics department is not to place fillings. Fillings needed because of decay or a fracture are usually done within general dentistry or restorative dentistry.

However, an overhanging, fractured or poorly contoured filling can make plaque build-up easier. This can be identified at a periodontal assessment, and the relevant treatment to correct the filling can be planned.

The same tooth may have both decay and gum disease. In that case, the order of periodontal treatment and the filling is planned across different dental fields according to the examination findings.

What Are Gum Diseases and Their Symptoms?

Gum disease may not cause noticeable pain at first. For that reason, bleeding while brushing or persistent bad breath should not be ignored.

Condition	Tissues Affected	Possible Signs
Gingivitis	Gums	Bleeding, redness, tenderness and swelling
Periodontitis	Gums, periodontal ligament and supporting bone	Gum pockets, recession, bone loss and loose teeth
Gum recession	Gum margin and root surface	Teeth looking longer, root sensitivity and a change in appearance
Peri-implant diseases	Gum and bone around the implant	Bleeding, swelling, discharge or loss of supporting tissue

Signs you may notice with gum disease include:

• Gums bleeding while brushing, cleaning between the teeth or eating
• Redness, swelling or tenderness of the gums
• Gum recession and root surfaces becoming visible
• Persistent bad breath or a bad taste in the mouth
• New gaps appearing between the teeth
• Loose teeth or a change in the bite
• Discharge from the gum margin
• Bleeding, swelling or tenderness around an implant

How Is a Periodontal Examination Carried Out?

A periodontal examination does not look only at visible tartar. The tissues beneath the gum and the level of support around the teeth are assessed too.

1. Your medical history, medications, tobacco use and oral hygiene habits are noted.
2. The color and texture of the gums, any bleeding and areas of recession are examined.
3. The pockets between tooth and gum are checked with a special measuring instrument.
4. Tooth mobility, the bite and restorations that trap plaque are assessed.
5. If considered necessary, radiographs are taken to examine the supporting bone.
6. Based on the findings, the extent of the disease and the treatment stages are determined.

One situation we often see at the clinic is bleeding gums being ignored for a long time because there is no pain. Yet regular bleeding is a finding that needs to be assessed.

What Happens During Periodontal Treatment?

The aim of periodontal treatment is to reduce bacterial plaque on the tooth and root surfaces and to create an environment in the mouth that can be kept clean. The procedure used depends on the stage of the disease.

The treatment process may include the following stages:

• Instruction in correct brushing and cleaning between the teeth
• Teeth cleaning (scaling) and reshaping areas that trap plaque
• Cleaning the root surfaces below the gum line
• Information about smoking and other risk factors
• Reassessment of healing after a set period
• Periodontal surgery where necessary
• Soft tissue surgery for gum recession
• Supportive periodontal care after active treatment

Antibiotics are not used routinely for every gum disease. They may be added to treatment only in selected situations and on prescription.

Does Periodontal Treatment Hurt?

Cleaning below the gum line and surgical procedures can be carried out under local anesthesia where needed. The aim is therefore to keep pain under control during the procedure.

Temporary sensitivity, aching or tender gums can occur after treatment. How uncomfortable it is depends on the procedure performed, and it usually eases during follow-up.

How Long Does Periodontal Treatment Take?

The treatment time depends on how widespread the disease is, the depth of the pockets and how many procedures are needed. Early-stage problems can be managed in fewer sessions.

In advanced periodontitis, non-surgical treatment may be divided over several sessions. The tissues' response is assessed a few weeks later, and the next stage follows if needed.

The end of active treatment does not mean the end of follow-up. Check-up and maintenance intervals are set individually according to the risk of the disease recurring.

Causes and Risk Factors of Periodontal Disease

Gum disease is rooted in the inflammatory response to bacterial plaque that builds up on the tooth surface. Plaque that is not removed can harden over time and turn into tartar.

The main factors that can affect whether the disease develops or progresses are:

• Inadequate brushing and cleaning between the teeth
• Smoking and the use of other tobacco products
• Systemic conditions such as uncontrolled diabetes
• Family history and individual susceptibility
• Overhanging fillings or poorly fitting crowns that encourage plaque build-up
• Crowded teeth that are difficult to clean
• Periods of hormonal change such as pregnancy and adolescence
• Not attending regular periodontal follow-up

Crowding, stress or teeth clenching are not on their own considered causes of periodontitis. They can, however, affect the clinical picture by making cleaning harder or placing extra load on the tissues.

Home Care for Gum Health

Home care does not replace professional periodontal treatment. Even so, daily plaque control plays an important role in maintaining the improvement achieved.

• Brush your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste.
• Clean between your teeth every day with floss or an interdental brush.
• If your gums bleed constantly while brushing, see a dentist rather than stopping cleaning.
• If you use tobacco, ask a health professional about support for quitting.
• Keep the periodontal check-up and maintenance appointments you are given.
• Use mouthwash only as your dentist recommends.

When Should You See a Dentist?

If you have recurring gum bleeding, swelling, recession or bad breath, an examination should be arranged. Early assessment helps establish how much supporting tissue has been lost.

If a tooth suddenly becomes loose, or if there is marked swelling, pus discharge, fever or facial swelling, see a dentist without delay. A sore or lump in the mouth lasting longer than two weeks should also be assessed.

Periodontal Assessment in Bursa

The Private MFSDENT Oral and Dental Health Polyclinic provides periodontal examinations and treatment planning in the district of Yıldırım. The clinic is at Davutkadı Mah. Fatih Sultan Mehmet Cad. No: 57/B.

MFS Dent is open seven days a week. To arrange an appointment you can call +90 (541) 363 34 42 or email [email protected].

The MFS Dent Clinical Team

• Mehmet Fatih Sever — Dentist
• Muhammed Ali Kurmuş — Dentist
• İremnur Yıldız — Dentist
• Beyzanur Şaşmaz — Dentist
• Hasan Köken — Dentist

Which dentist carries out the examination and treatment is planned according to the procedure required and the clinical assessment. In some cases, coordination between different dental fields may be needed.

Sources

• Periodontics (Treatment of Gum Diseases) – Turkish Ministry of Health
• Gum Disease – NHS
• Periodontitis – American Dental Association
• Treatment of Stage I–III Periodontitis: EFP Clinical Practice Guideline – PubMed
• Oral Health – World Health Organization
• Turkish Dental Association (TDB) Legislation Booklet – Specialty Fields in Dentistry