Can you have orthodontic treatment if you have periodontal disease?

Posted by Bob Miller on April 21st, 2021

Periodontal disease affects the gum and the bone around the teeth. It is caused by bacteria that feeds on sweets left in the mouth or food stuck between the gums. When the bacteria are not cleaned they populate on the teeth and the gums. When the bacteria grows in the gums it makes them swell or change color , or the gums start losing hold on the teeth. When the bacteria grow around the base of the teeth (called gingiva) and cause discomfort in that area, the disease is called gingivitis. This stage is still mild and can be easily treated as it has only started.

When gingivitis is not treated and the bacteria continue to grow and reach the periodontal area (the gums and the bones supporting the teeth), the disease becomes severe. The disease is now called periodontitis. When the plaque is near the gingiva, it is still in the outer part of the teeth and only the gims are being affected. The more the plague spreads upwards towards the periodontal area, the more close it gets to the roots. This becomes dangerous because the roots of the teeth become weak. Even the gums and the bones that support the teeth become weak. So when a patient has periodontal disease the plaque is considered deep and it might have already caused much damage to the root of the teeth. As such prescribing orthodontic treatment will only lead to making teeth weaker.

If you have periodontal disease, even if it was in the past, and you consult an orthodontist in Washington for braces he/she will examine the condition of the periodontal area to check whether the root of the teeth has enough strength. The fact that this area was once affected by plaque confirms that the roots are weak, so any practitioner of Washington Ortho will not prescribe orthodontic treatment to the patient as that can shorten the root more. Any experienced orthodontist in Washington for braces will educate this to the patient.

When braces are given to straighten the teeth a lot of pressure is exerted for the teeth to move to a straighter position. This needs more strength and length of the root of the teeth. If the root of the teeth is short and weak, you may get the result from straightening, but in the long term it will be harmful causing problems with the teeth and even early loss of teeth.

A healthy periodontal area will have gums tightly holding the teeth without any sensitivity, odour, pus, blood, swelling, pain, looseness, etc. If you had periodontitis in the past and if you try to observe whether the condition of the gums are good enough so that a tooth movement can be supported by the root, you yourself will get the answer Washington Ortho has to give.

Bob Miller is the author of this article.To know more about orthodontics in Washington please visit our Website.