Question

chronic periodontitis; Classification, histological changes, clinical features, radiological appearance, treatment

Answer 1

CHRONIC PERIODONTITIS

INTRODUCTION:

It is inflammatory disease of supporting tissues of teeth caused by specific micro-organisms resulting in progressive destruction of periodontal ligament and alveolar bone, with pocket formation, recession or both.

CLASSIFICATION:

HISTOLOGICAL CHANGES:

Inflammatory infiltrates are present (chronic gingivitis)

Irregular and ulcerated crevicular epithelium

Hypermia, Edema and Hemorrhage.

CLINICAL FEATURES:

Swollen gums

Reddish or purplish gums

Tender gums

Bleeding

Bad breath

Purulent discharge

Teeth fall or loose teeth

Painful mastication

Pockets between teeth

Gums that pull away from your teeth (recede), causing teeth look longer than normal

RADIOLOGICAL APPEARANCE:

1. Widening of PDL space

2. Loss of corticated interdental crestal margins

3. Localised or generalized loss of alveolar supporting bone.

4. Blunting of the alveolar crest

5. Bone loss - horizontal or vertical

TREATMENT:

• Nonsurgical:

scaling

root planing

antimicrobial mouth rinse

antiseptic chip

antibiotic gel and microspheres

Enzyme suppressants

Oral antibiotics

• Surgical: Used in advanced cases.

Flap surgery

Bone and tissue grafts