Risk Factors for Periodontal Disease

A characteristic of a person or their environment that increases the likelihood of developing periodontal disease.

A medical condition or factor from the body affecting the gums and teeth

Actions taken to prevent periodontal disease from occurring.

Smoking increases the risk of periodontal disease by 4 times, and the frequency increases the risk. Recovery can take over a decade.

A blood test measuring average blood sugar levels over a 2-3 month period, used to assess glycemic control in diabetes.

Checking gum health after treatment helps ensure its success, detect complications, and guide further care.

A comprehensive assessment includes probing depths (with bleeding), recession, tooth mobility, furcation involvement, and plaque control.

Absence of plaque, bleeding, and deep pockets are strong indicators of healthy gums.

Successful treatment leads to reduced bleeding, pocket depth, sensitivity, and patient satisfaction.

Calculus attracts bacteria, causing inflammation and weakening connective tissue, allowing the probe to reach deeper.

Probing attachment gain (deeper pockets) and recession are common outcomes after periodontal therapy.

As inflammation subsides, the gums shrink back to their normal position.

Improved gum health is evident through reduced bleeding, less visible plaque, improved gum color (pink), and reduced pocket depth.

A checkup after periodontal treatment to measure progress and identify any issues.

Typically done 6 weeks to 9 months after periodontal treatment, allowing for tissue healing and inflammation reduction.

Most improvement in pocket depths occurs within 3 months after periodontal treatment.

Waiting at least 6 weeks allows for initial healing and reduces inflammation, enabling accurate assessment.

Reassessment after conventional periodontal surgery is typically done 3 to 6 months later.

Reassessment after reconstructive/regenerative periodontal procedures is done 9 to 12 months later.

Periodontal assessment should be done every 3 to 4 months during supportive periodontal therapy to monitor for changes and maintain oral health.

Long-term periodontal treatment success depends on consistent daily plaque control, meaning effective brushing and flossing.

A specific area of the mouth that fails to demonstrate improvement after non-surgical periodontal therapy.

Cases where non-surgical periodontal therapy doesn't achieve the desired results in specific areas of the mouth.

1. Persistent probing depths > 5 mm
2. Persistent inflammation
3. No reduction in bleeding on probing

1. Inadequate plaque control
2. Underlying systemic factors
3. Anatomical limitations

1. Re-evaluate plaque control
2. Address systemic factors
3. Modify surgical approach
4. Consider adjunctive therapies
5. Re-evaluate the patient's commitment to oral hygiene.

1. Vasodilation and increased vascular permeability
2. Inflammatory cell infiltrate (mainly neutrophils)

1. Continued inflammatory cell infiltrate (neutrophils, lymphocytes, and plasma cells)
2. Epithelial hyperplasia and rete pegs

1. Dense inflammatory infiltrate (all inflammatory cells)
2. Connective tissue breakdown and collagen fiber disruption

1. Extensive destruction of connective tissue and periodontal ligament fibers
2. Bone resorption and pocket formation
3. Presence of bacteria and their byproducts

1. Reduction in bacterial load
2. Shift from anaerobic to aerobic flora
3. Disruption of biofilm structure

1. Reduction in inflammatory cell infiltrate
2. Increased fibroblast activity (repairing connective tissue)

1. Bacteria and their products
2. Inflammatory cells
3. Degraded tissue
4. Exudate (fluid)
5. Calculus (mineralized plaque)

1. Reduced inflammatory cell infiltrate
2. Reduction in pocket depth
3. Formation of a gingival cuff
4. Appearance of long junctional epithelium
5. Reduction in bleeding on probing

1. Continued reduction in pocket depth
2. Improved gingival contour
3. Maturation of long junctional epithelium
4. Increased collagen fiber formation

Reduction in pocket depth due to a decrease in inflammation and formation of new tissue.

New attachment of gum tissue to the tooth root surface via a basement membrane.