What is Periodontitis?

Periodontitis is an active bacterial infection that has progressed past the point of gingivitis and it now affecting the amount of healthy bone that supports and surrounds your teeth.  Periodontitis is diagnosed clinically by measuring pocket depths, and radiographically by evaluating bone loss and current bone levels.  Periodontitis is a multi-factorial disease, meaning that there are many causes and contributions that may lead or predispose a person to this condition.  Some of these include oral hygiene, professional dental cleaning maintenance, tobacco use, alcohol consumption, genetics, and many other systemic conditions such as diabetes, coranary disease, and others.

Ok I have Periodontitis, now what??

The treatment recommended to you by Drs. Klein will depend on many factors within your disease.  What caused it? How far progressed is it? How aggressive is your diease? Is it localized or is it generalized?  These and many other questions will be discussed with you extensively.  The perio team, whcih consists of Drs. Klein as well as the hygienist that is treating you (either Allison, or Anne) will guide you and help you understand all of your treatment options