What Are the Treatment Options for Periodontitis?
Dec 20, 2021
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Liu Dong
Introduction
What are the treatment methods for periodontitis?
1. Occlusal adjustment: This involves grinding down the cusps or ridges of affected teeth to improve tooth morphology and eliminate premature contact or occlusal interference with opposing teeth, thereby removing traumatic occlusal forces and establishing functional occlusal contact between the upper and lower dentition.
2. Orthodontic treatment: This modifies the long axis of teeth and their direction of force application to eliminate traumatic occlusal forces.
Periodontal disease is a common dental condition that adversely affects teeth in multiple ways—such as causing tooth mobility. Tooth mobility, in turn, significantly impairs chewing function; if left untreated, it may lead to various other dental diseases. Below, we introduce the treatment methods for periodontitis!
What Are the Treatment Methods for Periodontitis?
1. Occlusal Adjustment
This involves selective grinding of the cusps or ridges of affected teeth to improve tooth morphology, eliminate premature contacts and occlusal interferences with opposing teeth, thereby removing traumatic occlusal forces. It establishes functional occlusal relationships between the upper and lower dentition and restores physiological stimulation to the periodontal tissues, helping maintain periodontal health.
2. Orthodontic Therapy
Orthodontic treatment is an essential component of comprehensive periodontitis management. By repositioning mobile or displaced teeth, altering their long axes and force vectors, and eliminating traumatic occlusal forces, orthodontics facilitates periodontal tissue recovery and healing.
(1) Alignment of crowded or malpositioned teeth to facilitate effective plaque control;
(2) Deep overbite of anterior teeth;
(3) Pathological fan-shaped displacement and spacing of anterior teeth;
(4) Mesial inclination of posterior teeth resulting in deep infrabony pockets—orthodontic uprighting can correct this angulation and simultaneously resolve the associated deep pocket. However, contraindications often exist: ① Untreated periodontitis; ② Persistent inflammation despite prior treatment, uncontrolled plaque, and active disease progression; ③ Teeth exhibiting more than 50% root-length alveolar bone loss.
3. Periodontal Splinting
Clinically, periodontal splints are commonly used to stabilize mobile teeth, distribute occlusal forces, and enhance chewing function. They connect multiple mobile teeth together or anchor mobile teeth to adjacent healthy teeth, thereby forming a new functional chewing unit.
Based on duration of use, periodontal splints are categorized as either temporary or permanent. Permanent splints include fixed permanent splints, removable permanent splints, and combined fixed-removable splints (e.g., telescopic crowns). Compared with temporary splints, permanent splints provide superior stabilization, effectively immobilize mobile teeth, distribute occlusal forces, reduce the load on periodontal tissues, and ultimately promote tissue healing and regeneration.
The above outlines key treatment approaches for periodontal disease. In fact, effective management requires not only professional clinical treatment but also diligent daily oral care—only then can long-term dental health be ensured!
