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PERIODONTOLOGY: MAINTAINING A HIGH QUALITY OF LIFE THANKS TO PERIODONTITIS TREATMENT IN COLOGNE

We Cologne residents are proud that people all over the world know and admire our Cologne Cathedral. That is why we care for and maintain our landmark with great dedication and passion. Preserving what is valuable – that is also what we are talking about when we talk about periodontitis. If you have bleeding gums or inflamed gums, come to our practice as soon as possible. Because your healthy life with strong teeth is our highest priority.

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Dr. Nikolas Ganß, Zahnarzt und Implantologe in Köln, setzt feste Zähne an einem Tag

Periodontitis affects not only your teeth, but your overall health. We consciously take our time to provide high-quality, thorough treatment. Because your health is important to us. Together, we can stop this chronic disease.

– Dr Nikolas Ganss, dentist with a curriculum in periodontology

The advantages of periodontitis treatment at Dr. Ganss + Kollegen:

  • Empathy: Your well-being is our top priority. We take your fears seriously and explain all treatment steps in a simple and understandable way.
  • Preserving teeth: If detected early, we can halt the progression of periodontitis and preserve your natural teeth. For a long life full of bright moments.
  • Protect your health: Periodontitis can affect the entire body. Left untreated, it increases the risk of heart attack, stroke or diabetes. Successful treatment will give you a new quality of life.

We know how valuable your healthy life with your own teeth is.

That is why we are passionate about your dental health. Book your appointment now:

Periodontitis: Why prompt treatment is important for your health

Your teeth need a firm hold in the jawbone. Periodontitis is a chronic inflammation of the periodontium. It is commonly referred to as “periodontal disease”. If left untreated, it attacks the jawbone. This recedes, your teeth lose their hold and, in the worst case, fall out.

How does periodontitis develop?

Bacteria initially attach themselves to the surface of the teeth. Together with food residues and saliva components, they form bacterial dental plaque. If not removed regularly, this can turn into hard tartar. If these harmful bacteria gain the upper hand, our immune system reacts:

  • The body sends enzymes and inflammatory substances to fight the harmful bacteria.
  • The immune system responds to the acute threat posed by bacteria with inflammatory processes.
  • If left untreated, these inflammations can become chronic and put strain on the entire body.
  • Deep gum pockets develop. Later, the inflammation spreads to the jawbone and teeth lose their foundation. The bacteria can migrate through the bloodstream to the entire organism and cause secondary diseases.

How can I recognise periodontitis?

Healthy gums are firm. They are pink in colour and do not bleed when touched.

The first signs of gum inflammation are

  • persistent bad breath,
  • recurring bleeding gums,
  • Reddened and swollen gums.

At this stage, we refer to it as gingivitis in dentistry. We can usually treat this effectively with professional teeth cleaning and you can treat it at home with consistent oral hygiene. If left untreated, it leads to periodontitis.

Treacherous: In most cases, gingivitis and periodontitis cause no pain for a long time and develop gradually. To stop periodontitis at an early stage, it is important to take the first signs seriously. Make an appointment at our practice as soon as possible.

What is the difference between periodontosis and periodontitis?

Periodontosis is an outdated term that also refers to a pathological change in the periodontium. However, periodontosis is not an inflammation. The medically correct term for chronic inflammation is periodontitis. The ending “-itis” comes from Greek and refers to inflammation in medical terminology.

Periodontitis poses a risk to the entire body

Periodontitis can pose a risk to the entire body. Harmful bacteria can enter the bloodstream and cause inflammation, which can lead to serious systemic diseases. These include:

  • heart attack
  • stroke
  • Diabetes
  • rheumatoid arthritis
  • dementia
  • pneumonia
  • Underweight premature babies

Good to know: Stress, smoking and vitamin deficiency can also have a negative effect on the condition of the periodontium.

The best protection against gingivitis and periodontitis is regular prophylaxis.

Discover how we can boost your immune system and oral health thanks to high-quality dental care provided by our dental hygienist and her team:

Treating periodontitis: How we stop chronic inflammation

It is always better to prevent disease than to treat it – especially in the case of periodontitis. The key elements here are regular prophylaxis and professional teeth cleaning. The earlier we detect signs of periodontitis, the sooner we can intervene.

Below, we present the most important measures for high-quality periodontitis treatment.
Professional teeth cleaning and deep cleaning

First, we examine your teeth and gums and determine the stage of your periodontitis. We measure the depth of the gum pockets and check for any bone loss. We remove bacterial plaque and tartar with professional teeth cleaning (PTC). Read more about the exact procedure here: PTC

Supportive periodontitis therapy (SPT)

To prevent further inflammation and stop periodontitis in the long term, supportive periodontitis therapy (SPT) is essential. At our practice, SPT is carried out by a specialised dental hygienist. Why is this particularly valuable for you?

The dental hygienist has the highest level of training in the prevention and treatment of gum disease. She works closely with your dentist. As a patient, you benefit from the high-quality treatment provided at UPT.

What happens during the UPT?

  • We clean teeth and gums above and below the gum line. This keeps harmful bacteria below the critical threshold. Depending on the status of your periodontitis, local medication may be considered.
  • In the first year after the main periodontitis treatment, UPT should be carried out every three months. This allows us to keep the treatment results as stable as possible.
  • Unfortunately, we cannot completely cure periodontitis. The aim is to stop the chronic inflammation of the periodontium. This means that it no longer poses a risk to your health.
  • Once this goal has been achieved, we will continue to remain vigilant together. We will carry out regular check-ups to ensure that periodontitis does not flare up again.
  • As part of the check-ups, we always carry out supportive periodontal therapy and professional teeth cleaning.

Our common goal: your oral health. That is why our dental hygienists provide you with detailed advice on measures you can take in your everyday life to maintain your dental health. Effective oral hygiene, a healthy diet and not smoking are essential factors for your well-being.

Surgical Periodontitis Treatment

We know when surgical measures are necessary to stop periodontitis. Minor surgery may be necessary, especially in cases of advanced periodontitis:

  • In doing so, we remove inflamed tissue and stubborn deposits in the deep gum pockets and on the tooth roots.
  • This is done gently and stress-free under local anaesthetic.
  • If necessary, treatment with antibiotics will follow.

This allows us to consistently combat harmful bacteria and prevent new inflammation. We will be happy to discuss all the necessary steps with you at the dental practice.

Did you know that we can also offer periodontal treatment with nitrous oxide?

This method helps you to relax completely during treatment and reduce anxiety. Find out more here:

Periodontitis treatment: What are the costs?

For patients with statutory health insurance, the health insurance fund covers a large part of the basic treatment for periodontitis. Additional costs may arise, for example for

  • regular professional teeth cleaning as part of the UPT,
  • laser therapy,
  • certain measures during surgical procedures.

Before starting periodontitis treatment, we will provide you with a comprehensive treatment and cost plan. You can submit this to your health insurance provider to clarify the exact costs covered and any possible co-payments. Depending on your tariff, co-payments may be covered by private supplementary dental insurance. Please discuss this with your insurer in advance. This also applies to our privately insured patients.

Successful periodontitis treatment is an important investment in your long-term general health.

We would be happy to advise you in advance by telephone. Please call us:

Answers to frequently asked questions about periodontology

How long does periodontitis treatment take?

The initial treatment for inflamed gum pockets usually consists of two appointments on two consecutive days. Each appointment lasts around 60 to 90 minutes.

The acute treatment phase, from periodontal pre-treatment to supportive periodontitis therapy, usually lasts around four months. We will discuss with you individually how often you should then come to our practice for check-ups.

Is periodontitis curable?

With timely and consistent treatment, we can halt the progression of periodontitis and, in the best case scenario, bring it to a standstill. However, chronic inflammation cannot be cured. Ongoing, regular check-ups and care remain necessary.

Is periodontitis treatment painful?

Our goal is to treat you as painlessly as possible. Everyone experiences pain differently. Please let us know immediately if any procedure causes you discomfort. We always have the option of using a local anaesthetic.

Do you have any further questions about periodontitis treatment at the Dr. Ganss + Kollegen dental practice in Deutz, Cologne?

We will be happy to inform you in advance by telephone: