Treponema denticola
Encyclopedia
Treponema denticola is a motile and highly proteolytic bacterium. The Gram-negative oral spirochete is associated with the incidence and severity of human periodontal disease
. Treponema denticola levels in the mouth are elevated in patients with periodontal disease
s and the species is considered one of the main etiological agents of periodontitis.
T. denticola dwells in a complex and diverse microbial community in the oral cavity and is highly specialized to survive in this environment.
T. denticola is related to the syphilis-causing obligate human pathogen, Treponema pallidum
subsp. pallidum.
resulting in destruction of the surrounding tissues and alveolar bone. It occurs in 15% of adults at some time in their lives and can lead to bleeding on brushing, halitosis, tooth mobility and loss. Severe forms include aggressive periodontitis and necrotizing periodontitis which can cause rapid bone resorption and tooth loss
along with ulceration of the gingiva and considerable pain.
Treatment involves removal of plaque and calculus on the root surfaces by scaling and root planing using various periodontal currettes. If the periodontal disease does not resolve, given at least 8–12 weeks for healing, the area is retreated. Periodontal surgery to raise a flap and root plane the affected teeth may be undertaken along with antibiotic therapy (systemic or local).
Periodontal 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...
. Treponema denticola levels in the mouth are elevated in patients with periodontal disease
Periodontal 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 and the species is considered one of the main etiological agents of periodontitis.
T. denticola dwells in a complex and diverse microbial community in the oral cavity and is highly specialized to survive in this environment.
T. denticola is related to the syphilis-causing obligate human pathogen, Treponema pallidum
Treponema pallidum
Treponema pallidum is a species of spirochaete bacterium with subspecies that cause treponemal diseases such as syphilis, bejel, pinta and yaws. The treponemes have a cytoplasmic and outer membrane...
subsp. pallidum.
Periodontal disease
Periodontal disease is an infection and inflammation of the gingivaGingiva
The gingiva , or gums, consists of the mucosal tissue that lies over the mandible and maxilla inside the mouth.-General description:...
resulting in destruction of the surrounding tissues and alveolar bone. It occurs in 15% of adults at some time in their lives and can lead to bleeding on brushing, halitosis, tooth mobility and loss. Severe forms include aggressive periodontitis and necrotizing periodontitis which can cause rapid bone resorption 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...
along with ulceration of the gingiva and considerable pain.
Treatment involves removal of plaque and calculus on the root surfaces by scaling and root planing using various periodontal currettes. If the periodontal disease does not resolve, given at least 8–12 weeks for healing, the area is retreated. Periodontal surgery to raise a flap and root plane the affected teeth may be undertaken along with antibiotic therapy (systemic or local).