The Department of Periodontics at the Hebrew University-Hadassah Faculty of Dentistry is a multifaceted department consisting of five full time faculty positions. The duties of the faculty are divided into the traditional academic functions of teaching, research and administration. However, unlike many other academic institutions, periodontal treatment is provided to patients by the faculty. Periodontics focuses on gum diseases.
Treatments provided by the periodontics department:
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Complete periodontal examination and charting
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First aid for the relief of acute situations of periodontal origin
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Initial preparation including oral hygine instruction and the removal of tartar and other deposits
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Root planing
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Periodontal surgery
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Cosmetic periodontal surgery
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Dental implants
The clinical services provided by the department are open to the general public. Treatment is provided at two levels; either by the graduate students under the supervision of a specialist or by the specialist himself. Besides being a source of income to the institution, the patients also provide a valuable tools for teaching for both the undergraduate as well as the postgraduate teachers.
Gum diseases are generally infections which can affect the gum or the tissue holding the tooth to the jaw. The bacteria which causes the infections is found in the plague, a sticky, colorless film which accumulates on the surface of the tooth. If the plaque is not removed daily (by brushing your teeth and flossing), the plague calcifies and hardens into tartar. Toxins released by the bacteria in the plaque can stimulate the gum and eventually cause an infection or other gum diseases.
If left untreated, gum disease can cause bleeding (from the gum), foul breath, loss of the bone surrounding the tooth and eventually loss of the tooth itself. Signs of gum disease include: gums that bleed while brushing; red, swollen and sensitive gums, gums where the edges are unattached to the teeth, bad breath, gum discharge, wiggly teeth. Gum disease is generally not accompanied by pain.
If your dentist noticed a problem with your gums, or you detected a problem, you should schedule an appointment with a periodontist.