Periodontology
Encyclopedia
Periodontology or Periodontics (from Greek
περί peri "around"; and ὀδούς odous "tooth", genitive ὀδόντος odontos) is the specialty
of dentistry
that studies supporting structures of teeth
, diseases, and conditions that affect them. The supporting tissues are known as the periodontium
, which includes the gingiva
(gums), alveolar bone, cementum
, and the periodontal ligament
. A professional who practises this speciality field of dentistry is known as a periodontist.
s take on many different forms but are usually a result of a coalescence of bacterial plaque
biofilm accumulation of the gingiva
and teeth, combined with host immuno-inflammatory mechanisms and other risk factors which lead to destruction of the supporting bone around natural teeth. Untreated, these diseases lead to alveolar bone loss and tooth loss
and, to date, continue to be the leading cause of tooth loss in adults.
.
. Periodontists attend a Master of Dental Surgery (M.D.S) program affiliated with dental schools in India. The minimum qualification required for the M.D.S degree is a Bachelor of Dental Surgery (B.D.S) degree.
(CODA) accredited programs are a minimum of three years in length. According to the American Academy of Periodontology
, U.S.-trained periodontists are specialists in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of periodontal diseases and oral inflammation, and in the placement and maintenance of dental implants. Following successful completion of post-graduate training a periodontist becomes Board eligible for the American Board of Periodontology
examination. Successful completion of board certification results in Diplomate status in the American Board of Periodontology
.
Greek language
Greek is an independent branch of the Indo-European family of languages. Native to the southern Balkans, it has the longest documented history of any Indo-European language, spanning 34 centuries of written records. Its writing system has been the Greek alphabet for the majority of its history;...
περί peri "around"; and ὀδούς odous "tooth", genitive ὀδόντος odontos) is the specialty
Specialty (dentistry)
In the United States, Canada, and Australia, there are nine recognized dental specialties in which some dentists choose to train and practice, in addition to or instead of general dentistry....
of dentistry
Dentistry
Dentistry is the branch of medicine that is involved in the study, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of diseases, disorders and conditions of the oral cavity, maxillofacial area and the adjacent and associated structures and their impact on the human body. Dentistry is widely considered...
that studies supporting structures of teeth
Tooth
Teeth are small, calcified, whitish structures found in the jaws of many vertebrates that are used to break down food. Some animals, particularly carnivores, also use teeth for hunting or for defensive purposes. The roots of teeth are embedded in the Mandible bone or the Maxillary bone and are...
, diseases, and conditions that affect them. The supporting tissues are known as the periodontium
Periodontium
Periodontium refers to the specialized tissues that both surround and support the teeth, maintaining them in the maxillary and mandibular bones. The word comes from the Greek terms peri-, meaning "around" and -odons, meaning "tooth." Literally taken, it means that which is "around the tooth"...
, which includes the gingiva
Gingiva
The gingiva , or gums, consists of the mucosal tissue that lies over the mandible and maxilla inside the mouth.-General description:...
(gums), alveolar bone, cementum
Cementum
Cementum is a specialized calcified substance covering the root of a tooth. Cementum is excreted by cells called cementoblasts within the root of the tooth and is thickest at the root apex. These cementoblasts develop from undifferentiated mesenchymal cells in the connective tissue of the dental...
, and the periodontal ligament
Periodontal ligament
The periodontal fiber or periodontal ligament, commonly abbreviated as the PDL, is a group of specialized connective tissue fibers that essentially attach a tooth to the alveolar bone within which it sits...
. A professional who practises this speciality field of dentistry is known as a periodontist.
Periodontal disease
Periodontal diseasePeriodontal disease
Periodontitis is a set of inflammatory diseases affecting the periodontium, i.e., the tissues that surround and support the teeth. Periodontitis involves progressive loss of the alveolar bone around the teeth, and if left untreated, can lead to the loosening and subsequent loss of teeth...
s take on many different forms but are usually a result of a coalescence of bacterial plaque
Dental plaque
Dental plaque is a biofilm, usually a pale yellow, that develops naturally on the teeth. Like any biofilm, dental plaque is formed by colonizing bacteria trying to attach themselves to a smooth surface...
biofilm accumulation of the gingiva
Gingiva
The gingiva , or gums, consists of the mucosal tissue that lies over the mandible and maxilla inside the mouth.-General description:...
and teeth, combined with host immuno-inflammatory mechanisms and other risk factors which lead to destruction of the supporting bone around natural teeth. Untreated, these diseases lead to alveolar bone loss and tooth loss
Tooth loss
Tooth loss is when one or more teeth come loose and fall out. Tooth loss is normal for deciduous teeth , when they are replaced by a person's adult teeth. Otherwise, losing teeth is undesirable and is the result of injury or disease, such as mouth trauma, tooth injury, tooth decay, and gum disease...
and, to date, continue to be the leading cause of tooth loss in adults.
Training
Before applying to any postgraduate training program in periodontology one must first complete a dental degreeDental degree
There are a number of first professional degrees in dentistry offered by schools in various countries around the world. These include the following:* Doctor of Dental Surgery * Doctor of Dental Medicine * Bachelor of Dentistry...
.
Australia
Australian programs are accredited by the Australian Dental Council (ADC) and are 3 years in length and culminate with either a Master degree (MDS) or a Doctor of Clinical Dentistry degree (DClinDent). Fellowship can then be obtained with the Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons, FRACDS (Perio).Canada
Canadian programs are accredited by the (CDAC) and are a minimum of two years in length and usually culminate with a master (MSc or MDent) degree. Graduates are then eligible to sit for the Fellowship exams with the Royal College of Dentists of Canada (FRCD (C)).India
Periodontics is offered as a specialization field of dentistry in IndiaIndia
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
. Periodontists attend a Master of Dental Surgery (M.D.S) program affiliated with dental schools in India. The minimum qualification required for the M.D.S degree is a Bachelor of Dental Surgery (B.D.S) degree.
United Kingdom
The British Society of periodontology exists to promote the art and science of periodontology. Their membership includes specialist practitioners, periodontists, general dentists, consultants and trainees in restorative dentistry, clinical academics, dental hygienists and therapists, specialist trainees in periodontology and many others.USA
The American Dental AssociationAmerican Dental Association
The American Dental Association is an American professional association established in 1859 which has more than 155,000 members. Based in Chicago, the ADA is the world's largest and oldest national dental association and promotes good oral health to the public while representing the dental...
(CODA) accredited programs are a minimum of three years in length. According to the American Academy of Periodontology
American Academy of Periodontology
The American Academy of Periodontology is the non-profit membership association for periodontists -- dental professionals specializing in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases affecting the gums and supporting structures of the teeth and in the placement and maintenance of dental...
, U.S.-trained periodontists are specialists in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of periodontal diseases and oral inflammation, and in the placement and maintenance of dental implants. Following successful completion of post-graduate training a periodontist becomes Board eligible for the American Board of Periodontology
American Board of Periodontology
The American Board of Periodontology is an organization which serves the public and the dental profession by administering the board certification process for experts in the dental specialty of periodontics. The board was formed in 1939 by the American Academy of Periodontology to maintain a high...
examination. Successful completion of board certification results in Diplomate status in the American Board of Periodontology
American Board of Periodontology
The American Board of Periodontology is an organization which serves the public and the dental profession by administering the board certification process for experts in the dental specialty of periodontics. The board was formed in 1939 by the American Academy of Periodontology to maintain a high...
.
See also
- Periodontitis
- Gum recession
- Gum graftGum graftA gingival graft is a generic name for any of a number of surgical periodontal procedures whose combined aim is to cover an area of exposed tooth root surface with grafted oral tissue...
- Dental implantDental implantA dental implant is a "root" device, usually made of titanium, used in dentistry to support restorations that resemble a tooth or group of teeth to replace missing teeth....
- Scaling and root planingScaling and root planingThe objective of scaling and root planing, otherwise known as conventional periodontal therapy, non-surgical periodontal therapy or deep cleaning, is to remove or eliminate the etiologic agents which cause inflammation: dental plaque, its products and calculus, thus helping to establish a...
- Chronic periodontitisChronic periodontitisChronic periodontitis is a common disease of the oral cavity consisting of chronic inflammation of the periodontal tissues that is caused by accumulation of profuse amounts of dental plaque.-Diagnosis:...
- Journal of PeriodontologyJournal of PeriodontologyThe Journal of Periodontology is the learned journal of the American Academy of Periodontology ....
gisel - University of Connecticut Department of Periodontology
External links
- American Academy of Periodontology's (AAP) article on Periodontal Disease
- The National Institute of Cranialfacial Research's article on Periodontal Disease
- AAP Directory of Periodontists
- Canadian Academy directory of Periodontists
- Dental Council of India
- British Society of Periodontology
- South African Society for Periodontology
- European Federation of Periodontology