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Periodontitis - Overview

Nombres alternativos

Enfermedad periodontal - piorrea; Inflamación de las encías con compromiso del hueso

Definición:

Es una inflamación e infección de los ligamentos y huesos que sirven de soporte a los dientes.

Causas, incidencia y factores de riesgo:

La periodontitis ocurre cuando la inflamación y la infección de las encías (gingivitis) se deja sin tratamiento o cuando el tratamiento se demora. Dicha infección e inflamación se disemina desde las encías (gingiva) hasta los ligamentos y el hueso que sirven de soporte a los dientes. La pérdida de soporte hace que los dientes se aflojen y finalmente se caigan. La periodontitis es la causa principal de la caída de los dientes en los adultos. No es un trastorno común en la niñez, pero se incrementa durante la adolescencia.

La placa y el sarro se acumulan en la base de los dientes. La inflamación hace que entre la encía y los dientes se formen bolsas que se llenan de sarro y de placa. La inflamación del tejido blando atrapa la placa en la bolsa. La inflamación continua causa finalmente la destrucción de los tejidos y el hueso alrededor de los dientes. Debido a que la placa contiene bacterias, es probable que se presente infección y también se puede desarrollar un absceso dental, lo cual aumenta la proporción de la destrucción ósea.

  • Reviewed last on: 2/22/2010
  • Jack D. Rosenberg, DDS, Advanced Dental Care, Palm Beach Gardens, FL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, M.D., MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
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