Nonsurgical approaches for the treatment of periodontal diseases,”The Dental

Periodontal diseases are the most common dental conditions. Gingivitis is gingival inflammation associated with plaque and calculus accumulation. Gingivitis may or may not progress to more advanced forms of the disease known as periodontitis, which is associated with alveolar bone loss and diagnosed by increases in probing depths, loss of clinical attachment, and radiographic evidence of bone loss. Periodontitis is chronic and progressive and there is no known cure. Periodontal disease, however, is treatable and may even be prevented. Risk for periodontal disease and lack of treatment of periodontitis have been linked to the systemic health of the patient. Periodontitis is a complex interaction between an infection and a susceptible host. Periodontal disease is initiated by an infection; however, it appears to behave not like a classic infection but more like an opportunistic infection. As a biofilm-mediated disease, periodontal disease is inherently difficult to treat. One of the greatest challenges in treatment arises from the fact tha