Many are interested in the structure of the periodontium. The term "periodontium" comes from the Greek language, meaning the tissue that surrounds the teeth. The tissue includes the gum, alveolar bone and teeth. Doctors designate this term as a complex of tissues that perform their functions.
Features of periodontium and main functions
Periodont performs several functions. The structure of the periodontium provides our teeth with a stable position in the gum. Our teeth are held together by the connection between the roots and the alveolar processes of the jaw. In the alveolar process there is a fiber that is located between the tissues and the oral cavity, it gives the teeth a little mobility. This fiber is called periodontal.
Among the main functions of periodontium are:
- trophic;
- support-retaining;
- shock-absorbing;
- barrier;
- plastic;
- reflex.
The structure of the periodontium includes blood vessels, lymph nodes and nerve receptors. Thanks to the retaining function, the teeth are fixed andare held in the gum. During eating and during mechanical action, connective tissues cushion the teeth. With the help of the barrier function, harmful microorganisms linger in the mouth and do not get inside the gums. The gingival papilla can secrete white blood cells that actively protect the human oral cavity. With the help of fibroblasts, mast cells and osteoblasts, periodontal tissue is regenerated. Thanks to their functioning, damage in the mouth is eliminated and regenerative processes are supported. If you need to survive solid food, the chewing process is more intense.
Common diseases
Many are interested in the structure of periodontium, but not everyone knows what diseases can disrupt its normal functioning. Among the common diseases are: idiopathic disease, periodontal disease, periodontitis, gingivitis, periodontitis.
Gingivitis causes inflammation of the gums. At the same time, the general well-being of a person worsens. There are several stages of this pathology. Among which are: ulcerative, hypertrophic and catarrhal. If the disease is started, it will turn into a chronic form. Pathology develops both in a simple and acute form. The disease can be both local and general. In periodontitis, the tissues that enter the periodontium become inflamed. Inflammation affects the bone jaw and teeth. For this reason, the structure of the periodontium of the tooth may change. There are several stages of the disease, among which are: mild, moderate and severe. When one of the symptoms occursdiseases, it is important to immediately consult a dentist. Periodontal disease is characterized by exposure of the tooth root. Depending on the visible zones of the root, the doctor determines the severity of the pathology. The disease can be both temporary and chronic. In idiopathic disease, the cause of which is unknown, histiocytosis may occur. Life-threatening periodontal diseases are characterized by the appearance of a tumor in the oral cavity on the periodontium. With timely treatment to a doctor, you can completely cure the disease. The disease is dangerous because it can progress and turn into complex forms. The structure and function of the periodontium is something that interests many, but not everyone knows that in order to prevent diseases, it is necessary to regularly check the teeth with specialists.
Doctors do not recommend home treatment, because it is impossible to independently identify the disease that provoked the appearance of unpleasant symptoms. Medicines should be prescribed only by the attending physician. Alternative methods of treatment can only aggravate the problem.
What causes periodontitis?
The structure of periodontal tissues includes: gum, periodontal ligament, cementum of the tooth root, alveolar bone. There are several reasons why a disease can occur. Namely:
- if pulpitis therapy is delayed;
- if you start carious destruction, the infection that entered the periodontium through the opening of the root canal causes the appearance of periodontalabscesses;
- poorly sealed canal;
- if the specialist sealed the canal poorly, then an inflammatory process may begin, as a result of which the infection will spread to the surrounding tissues;
- to place a crown, the dentist must remove the soft tissue of the tooth, and then fill the root canal, if a problem occurs during this stage and the dentist makes a mistake, periodontitis may occur.
In some cases, the pulps of the teeth become inflamed and die under crowns. As a result, pulpitis appears, which turns into periodontitis. This situation arises due to the incompetence of the dentist, who was careless in the process of preparing the tooth, neglected water cooling and did not take into account the individual histological structure of the periodontium.
Marginal type of periodontitis
At the initial stages of the development of periodontitis periodontal pockets are formed. An infection from such a formation can affect the basal membranes and spread in depth. This form of the disease is called marginal periodontitis.
Traumatic form of periodontitis
There are several forms of the disease: acute and chronic. Acute develops due to mechanical trauma. If the disease appeared due to the systematic impact that causes trauma, then this is a chronic disease.
How does acute traumatic periodontitis manifest itself?
There are several signs of acute traumatic periodontitis. Namely:
- tooth shifting;
- pain occurs, which is accompanied by tooth mobility;
- soft tissue tear;
- crown turns pinkish;
- root fracture.
If any of the symptoms appear, see a doctor.
What causes a chronic disease?
Chronic periodontitis occurs if there is an excessive systematic load on the teeth, which is caused by an incorrect prosthetic process. If the filling is too high, the bite may shift. Therefore, during chewing, filled teeth will be under a lot of stress. For this reason, traumatic periodontitis often occurs.
Medicated type of disease
Medicated periodontitis is a non-infectious type of disease that has arisen due to the drug used in the treatment or filling process. In some situations, this is an allergic reaction to medications. Some patients complain of allergies. It appears after applying the paste, which is used to seal the root canal.
Periodont in children
What are the features of the structure of periodontium in children? At the age of 10-15 years, the width of the periodontal space is 0.25 mm. The value is calculated depending on the age, the load on the teeth, the presence of pathological processes. The periodontium is formed by connective tissue, in which there is an intercellular substance, fibrous collagen fibers and a layerconnective tissue that is permeated with blood vessels and nerves. Fibrous fibers are formed into a thick bundle and at one end are woven into the cement of the roots of the teeth and pass into a fibrous structure.
Causes of periodontitis in children
If the pulpitis is not treated or the root canal is not properly sealed, periodontitis may occur in children. Among the main causes of occurrence are:
- infections with untimely treatment of caries and pulpitis;
- disease develops when injured;
- under mechanical action.
If a potent drug or a chemical agent gets through the dental canals, pathology develops.
Note to patients
If the gums are inflamed and there is tooth mobility, you need to seek help from a specialist. Many diseases are dangerous for general he alth, as they can progress and become more complex forms. Self-medication is prohibited, as this can cause the development of serious complications and aggravate the problem. It is not enough to know the anatomical and physiological structure of the periodontium to diagnose the disease at home.
