Periodontal Disease

Periodontal disease is a chronic bacterial infection that affects the gums and

the bone supporting the teeth.

The main cause of Periodontal disease is poor oral hygiene, however recent research has suggested a strong link between diabetes, cardiovascular and periodontal disease. Smoking, stress and genetic factors also play an important role in the prevalence of periodontal diseases. Recent research has shown that periodontal disease and diabetes has a two way relationship.

Inflammation of the gums may result, if bacterial plaque is not removed regularly through good oral hygiene and by professional means on a regular basis. The patient and/or practitioner notice that the gums are red, slightly swollen and bleed easily. This early form of periodontal disease is called gingivitis.

Gingivitis can be reversed to a healthy state through professional teeth cleaning (prophylaxis) followed by regular oral care by the patient at home. Since gingivitis does not usually cause any particular discomfort for the patient, this condition is not viewed as sufficiently serious to see a dentist. Also, bleeding gums are traditionally considered as being quite “normal” and not recognized as symptoms of the disease. In some cases, even dentists fail to diagnose gingivitis unless the patient complains about discomfort.

However, if gingivitis is left untreated, it may advance to periodontitis. As the bacterial plaque penetrates deeper in to the sulcus area, the inflammatory response of the body causes the gums (and finally also the bone surrounding the teeth) to retract and separate from the teeth. Spaces between the gums and the teeth are formed, the so called pockets. Even at this time the patient may feel no more than minor discomfort. Very often, he or she will see the dentist only when the bone around the teeth has retracted so much that one or several teeth become loose.

Conservative figures estimate the part of the population suffering from gingivitis to be more than 50%. At least one third of the population already suffers from a mild or advanced form of periodontitis. In other words, the need to address the issue of oral health is enormous. General practitioners and dental hygienists are therefore on the frontline to make periodontal treatment available to the widest possible spectrum of the general population.

EMS shares the concerns of the American Academy of Periodontology in that it wishes to contribute to improved oral and general health by offering the tools necessary to perform periodontal treatments in the least invasive and most cost-effective manner.

Piezon ultrasonic devices such as the Piezon Master 600, miniMaster, or miniPiezon are the perfect drive for the renowned perio instruments from EMS.  These instruments are extremely thin and provide ready access to deep pockets and interproximal spaces (see also: CRA Newsletter, June 1998: in a comparison of leading automated scalers, only the PS instrument from EMS was rated “excellent”). Due to an ultrafine surface finish and sophisticated Piezon electronics, EMS perio instruments deliver a smooth and gentle treatment for improved patient comfort and a greater willingness to return to the dentist for recall visits.