Periodontal infections

Gingivitis, marginal periodontitis and periodontal abscesses are frequent causes of oral discomfort. They rarely cause sharp or strong pain, but because of the great variation that patients show in their reactions to pain, a periodontal origin of symptoms must always be carefully considered. Teeth are investigated for calculus and gingivitis, pockets are measured with a periodontal probe (picture on the left) and evaluated from radiographs. Although fistulas more frequently originate from apical rather than marginal periodontitis, a fistulograph (picture on the right) must always be taken to localise the origin of the sinus tract.