Recent Trends In Periodontal Treatment (Surgical And Non-Surgical): A Review

摘要

New research is demonstrating that a person’s total health is indeed related to his or her oral health. Elimination of all oral infections, including gingivitis and periodontis, is important to overall health. This article reviews recent evidence on the systemic and oral connection and discusses these findings as they relate to patient care. The article examines trends in nonsurgical and surgical therapy that will successfully arrest periodontal infections. Opportunities for early diagnosis and prevention will play an increasing role in dental practice in the future as patients understand the importance of oral health to overall health. Because recent evidence indicates that scientists are essentially redefining the link between oral health and systemic disease,(1) there is an urgent need to educate the public as to the importance of periodontal health. Epidemiologic and longitudinal studies have demonstrated an association between periodontal disease severity and risk for systemic conditions such as atherosclerosis, myocardial infarction and stroke.(23) In addition, preliminary data from multiple trials have indicated there is an association between periodontal disease severity and the risk for preterm low birth weight, or PTLBW.(45) Offenbacher and colleagues have reported that women with severe periodontitis are 7.5 times more likely to have a PTLBW baby.(5) All of these findings indicate that periodontal disease must be viewed from a whole new perspective, particularly since some form of periodontal disease is present in a large percentage of the population. A prospective approach of prevention and early intervention in treating the disease is more important than ever before.