Annoying Periodontal Disease: Reconstruction of Missing Teeth Is the Key to Cure

【Health Media Ren Chengyue/Taoyuan Report】2013.12.18

　　Bleeding after brushing, gum swelling and pain, tooth loss, etc. In addition to unpleasant smell, periodontal disease is also accompanied by these annoying problems. In particular, the consequences of missing teeth are very serious. It not only affects the appearance, but also shortens the life of the teeth.

　　According to statistics from the National Health Bureau of the Department of Health, periodontal disease is one of the most common oral diseases in the country. Since the initial symptoms are not obvious, up to 90% of the people suffer from varying degrees of periodontal disease without knowing it. In the long run, it not only destroys oral health, but also may affect the health of the whole body! Periodontal disease is a bacterial infectious disease that occurs in the tissues around the teeth. The main cause is usually improper oral hygiene, which causes plaque to accumulate between the teeth over time to form dental calculus, which continues to destroy gums, alveolar bones and other periodontal tissues. If you find bad breath, bleeding after brushing, or swelling and pain in the gums, these may be early warning signs of periodontal disease, and the public should pay attention to it.

　　Dr. Huang Shiyong of Taoyuan Modern Dental Clinic said that when periodontal tissues such as the alveolar bone are invaded by bacteria, the bone foundation that supports the teeth will be lost, causing the teeth to shake and fall off. In addition to affecting the appearance, missing teeth will also affect the bite, chewing and balanced force of the whole mouth. Over time, the remaining healthy teeth will be displaced due to excessive stress and gradually collapse, shortening the life of the teeth. Therefore, the reconstruction of missing teeth is an indispensable key to curing periodontal disease.

　　There are many ways to fill missing teeth, including traditional removable dentures; there are also traditional fixed dentures that need to be worn to support the healthy teeth on both sides, commonly known as dental bridges; and artificial dental implants have benefited many patients with missing teeth. Dental implants can not only consolidate the bone in the missing tooth area and prevent it from shrinking, but also avoid the damage to the dentine of adjacent teeth that needs to be reconstructed in the form of a dental bridge, thus maintaining oral health for a long time. Dr. Huang Shiyong explained that dental implants are made by implanting precision titanium metal artificial tooth roots deep into the alveoli. This artificial tooth root is highly compatible with human bone and can grow closely with the alveolar bone to form a stable foundation. Dentures are then installed on the artificial tooth roots.

　　Dr. Huang Shiyong further pointed out that the current dental implant surgery combined with sedation allows patients with dental phobia to be treated more comfortably. This sedation treatment is assisted by an anesthesiologist and based on the patient's fear and anxiety. Appropriate doses and types of anesthetic drugs are given, allowing the patient to complete the surgery in a relaxed state. Therefore, dental implant reconstruction surgery can be more widely accepted by the public.

　　Dr. Huang Shiyong reminds that dental implants require healthy gums and enough bone to support the artificial tooth roots. Therefore, before the operation, you need to consult with the dentist to assess your physical condition, conduct a full-mouth oral health examination, periodontal examination, and then use 3D computerized tomography to evaluate the bone in the missing tooth area to confirm the width, height and other details of the bone. Patients with special diseases or chronic diseases also need to ask a physician for pre-operative evaluation. Even after periodontal disease is cured and dental implants are completed, people should still develop a good habit of cleaning their mouths at all times, and return to the dentist every six months to check their periodontal health and clean their teeth. Cleaning up the parts that cannot clean themselves is the only way to stay away from periodontal disease and maintain the health and longevity of dental implants.