Is periodontal disease manageable?
Jessica Wood
Updated on January 05, 2026
All levels of periodontitis require treatment by a dentist. A mild case can typically be managed by a general dentist using non-surgical treatments. Moderate to severe cases require management by a periodontist and typically require surgery to save as many teeth as possible.
Can you live with periodontal disease?
Living with periodontal disease can cause aesthetic complications and bone loss of a serious nature. Unlike other injuries, periodontal disease does not cause any pain. It is a silent disease when the teeth gum becomes inflamed and bleeds.Can periodontal disease be managed?
Most cases of slight and moderate chronic periodontitis can be successfully managed by mechanical removal and/or reduction of subgingival bacterial biofilms and calculus.Can teeth be saved with severe periodontal disease?
Saving teeth from periodontal disease is possible if you detect the signs and symptoms early or regularly visit your dentist for cleanings and exams. Let the condition progress unhindered, and tooth loss should be considered as an eventuality.Can you recover from periodontitis?
Can you reverse periodontal disease? The damage done by gingivitis can often be reversed by ridding your gums of the infection. Periodontitis is more advanced, however, and often does damage to your teeth and gums that's impossible to reverse without extensive dental treatments.Periodontitis and its influence on health - How is periodontal disease treated? ©
How quickly does periodontitis progress?
Slight Periodontal DiseaseDuring the early gingivitis stages, gum inflammation can occur in as little as five days. Within two to three weeks, the signs of generalized gingivitis become more noticeable. If you still leave this untreated, it would progress to slight periodontal disease.
Is periodontal disease irreversible?
Once gum disease goes beyond this stage, and into periodontitis and advanced periodontitis the implications are irreversible, leaving damage to the tooth and it's underlying structure inevitable.What is Stage 4 periodontal disease?
In stage four the periodontal disease has taken a firm hold. Your gums will be visibly receding, exposing tender tooth enamel which can be easily damaged and then start to decay. The hidden damage to your jawbone will start to become noticeable as your teeth start to loosen, becoming wobbly or even moving position.Can periodontitis be stopped?
Periodontitis can be stopped if caught and treated early enough. Treatment is typically very successful. If you have periodontitis, regular follow-ups with a dentist are essential to ensure that the disease doesn't continue.How successful is periodontal treatment?
Periodontal Treatment Success RateThe overall success rate of both surgical and nonsurgical options is at around 87%.