Question:
I have a friend who has periodontal disease. She is about 45 and has
already lost about 6 teeth to it. She has been to many different
specialists and has been told that no cure exists and the only meager
delay is gum and tooth scaling. She has withstood countless years of
different treatments including one where her gums were actually opened
cleansed and resewn. The disease has progressed fairly fair that much of
her lower teeth are exposed far below the gum line. She is growing quite
distressed, especially now that her upper front teeth has become loose.
The problem is being compounded with severe gingavitis. Is there any
that can be done, or is she doomed to a future of plates and false
teeth. I was also informed that impants were not possible since the gums
would eventually reject them as well. Can anyone help or offer any advice?
Answer:
There have been many advances in periodontal therapy over the past few
years. Your friend may benefit from some of these advances. One in
particular is bacterial culturing and antibiotic therapy in conjunction
with other treatment. This approach "blows away the bacteria" to allow for
maximum healing. I would suggest contacting a periodontist to evaluate the
condition. It is never too late.
Even with all the advances in knowledge about periodontitis ,there is no
cure. Your friend sounds like she has one of the more severe cases of
adult periodontitis,losing teeth due to perio at 45 is fairly young. She
also may have one of the more aggressive forms of perio such as rapidly
progressing periodontitis that hits people in their 30s.In fact without
the intervention she may have been toothless already if she has this form.
