Periodontics and Orthodontics: How Are They Interrelated?
The relationship between adult orthodontics and periodontics is complicated because while orthodontics promotes gum disease, it also helps reduce its symptoms.
Approximately 50 percent of Americans have periodontitis, and a similar number are affected by some form of malocclusion. Presently adults comprise nearly 20 percent of all orthodontic patients.
The statistics indicate that the risks of adult orthodontic patients having gum disease and developing the problem after starting an adult orthodontic treatment or during the treatment increase significantly. In addition, gum disease can develop and worsen faster than usual, causing confusion in patients and the dentist near me providing orthodontic treatment.
The Interrelation between Orthodontics and Periodontics
Although not all adults with malocclusion or crooked teeth have gum disease, the conditions contribute to its development, making it challenging to treat. For example, the periodontium becomes compromised when braces are placed on the teeth. In addition, when physically moving teeth with unhealthy gums can worsen the patient’s condition.
The clinical trials with inadequate oral hygiene and abnormal occlusal forces put by the braces often result in the rapid development of periodontal pockets after orthodontic appliances are mounted on the teeth to shift them into their appropriate positions. However, studies by experts reveal information that many patients with periodontal disease seeking orthodontic treatment observed improvement in their condition with this treatment because their periodontal pockets resolved as they started receiving orthodontic treatment. The experts performed root planing and scaling in these situations but deferred periodontal surgery. The expert states that some patients responded well to the scaling and root planing processes and needed minimal or no surgery because the periodontal pockets resolved entirely with x-rays revealing bone regeneration.
Adult patients often approach orthodontics without a referral from a general dentist, assuming orthodontists also monitor tooth decay and periodontal disease because they are in the dental profession. However, patients need to realize the need to see a dentist nearby at six-month intervals when receiving orthodontic care, even if they have never had tooth decay.
How Should Adults Approach Orthodontic Care?
Orthodontists and patients must be aware that gum disease can occur at any time, making it essential for patients to ascertain their history and risks of this concerning infection. Patients must consider whether they have ignored receiving periodontal treatment despite having the condition or had the condition treated before considering orthodontics. Some adult patients don’t have periodontitis but are at risk of developing it during treatment. Finally, patients younger than 30 also need to assess their chances of developing the disease when receiving orthodontic treatment because periodontal disease among their population is often more destructive than other patients.
When adults seek orthodontic treatment from orthodontists, they will evaluate the patient’s condition or refer them to the Downtown Seattle dentist for their periodontal problems before starting orthodontic treatment. They may also suggest periodic assessments from dentists throughout orthodontic therapy.
It is challenging and dangerous for orthodontists to start and continue treating patients with active periodontitis.
Although tools are available and used by many orthodontists and dentist’s when assessing patient’s periodontal risks and severity of damage earlier to facilitate the management of periodontal status during orthodontic treatment because the tools help the professionals to grade periodontal levels from healthy to severe, the possibilities of every dental professional using it are minimal because most rely on traditional tools which they invest in for regular use.
Therefore when adults seek orthodontic treatment with or without periodontal disease, it helps if they seek an assessment from the Seattle dentist to determine their risks of developing gum disease when having metal and wire basis on their teeth to straighten them with the knowledge that they can develop gum disease at any time when receiving orthodontic treatment that might make them rush to emergency dentist near me seeking treatment for a problem unrelated to the services they provide.
Dentists generally advise patients with crooked and misaligned teeth to seek orthodontic treatment to prevent problems like tooth decay and gum disease. In addition, orthodontists confirm the chances of gum disease occurring after starting orthodontic treatment are also prevalent to make patients remain extra careful with their oral hygiene practices and continued visits to the Seattle dentist for regular assessments to ensure they don’t fall prey and quantify their risks of developing periodontitis when undergoing orthodontic treatment. Dentists incorporating the most updated tools in dentistry can quickly complete a periodontal assessment in under two minutes and deliver the results immediately. Therefore, people seeking adult orthodontics must be assessed for their periodontal disease risks by their regular dentist and continue receiving periodic assessments even after they start orthodontic treatment.
Adults with mild, moderate, or severe periodontitis seeking orthodontic treatment benefit if they contact Seattle Sound Dental for the therapy because the professionals guide patients comprehensively on how they should proceed to receive orthodontic care. A consultation with the practice allows patients to understand what we expect during orthodontic treatment and how to move by making them understand the relationship between orthodontics and periodontics.