Periodontitis assessment overview
Bacteria are the number one factor in periodontal destruction that is caused by different kinds of pathogens that grow in the oral cavity. Although these bacteria are needed to start a periodontal disease they are not the only factor that influences periodontitis.
Periodontal disease progression depends largely on the risk factors like systemic, environmental or the host susceptibility it self. Assessing the risk factors in clients with high risk periodontitis is very important because systemic conditions associated with high risk can modify the treatment outcomes and client management. Risk factors should be obtained by the dental clinician through a variety of methods. Health, dental history, pharmacological history and radiographic examination are the first steeps in defining the first risk factors and give clinician a general idea about the risk factors that are associated with the client’s periodontal status. The second steep is intra-oral examination where the dental clinician assesses in details periodontal pockets and any other sign that might indicate one or more of the risk factors that can influence periodontitis. There are two different kinds of risk factors modifiable and non-modifiable.
Modifiable risk factors are factors that a dental clinician can change to improve patients oral and general health. Smoking, poor oral hygiene, diabetes, poor nutrition, osteoporosis, stress, medications etc increase the chances of periodontitis and are all modifiable periodontal risk factors that can be changed with the help of the clinician and collaboration of the patient.
Non modifiable risk factors are periodontal risk factors that can not be changed by the dental clinician. Age, gender, race, genetic that are genetic induced can not be changed through oral self instructions or dental treatment modifications that’s why for a dental professional these factors are considered non-modifiable.
The more risk factors a client presents during the interview or oral examination, the higher the degree of risk for periodontal breakdown. The most common risk factors seen in patients are: Smoking, diabetes and poor oral hygiene. Clients that present two of these three risks are 8 times more susceptible to periodontal disease and permanent lost of their teeth compared to a person with no health risks. Its important for a dental clinician to know how to deal with risk factors. There’s specific guidelines that helps him determine the correct management of risk factors. For example if patients is under medications that cause gingival enlargement (increasing the risk for perio disease) then the best thing to do is consult with the clients physician if it is possible to substitute the current treatment with other medications. Clients that smoke are also a high risk for periodontal destruction. In this case help is offered to the client through smoking cessation programs, stress can be avoided through stress management, clients with osteoporosis can be referred to the physician for any possible use of ERT etc. Risk factors are not always found in patients with periodontal disease. Some clients manifest these risk factors without any clinical signs. These clients should be educated about the risks and outcomes expectable from habits like smoking, encouraged to take care of their oral hygiene by performing oral self care (brushing and flossing) in regular bases, come to dental appointments every 6 months and avoid any risk factors that will influence oral and overall health.
Clients that have been diagnosed with periodontitis ( weather mild or aggressive) should be treated with the same intensity (e.g putting them in 1-3 months periodontal maintanence program, modifying their planning if necessary on recare appointments, prescribing appropriate methods of drug intake that compromises their oral health, enforce proper oral self care methods, prescribe antimicrobial therapeutical agents or earlier referral at the endodontist for further treatment that needs specialized intervention.
Its our job to help the patient eliminate as many risk factors as possible that implicate long term periodontal health
Is it referring to dentists or doctors in general?
Its regarding dentists but basicaly the health practitioners in North America follow the same idea even if this article is specific for dentists and dental hygienists
This is a good article. Can i use it for my assignment?
Of course John. One of the purposes of creating this site was to help students.