Periodontal disease: Do you have a perio probe?
Dr Corlene Schnetler
Modern dentistry has become implant driven and digital protocols are followed blindly to such an extent that common sense is often ignored. Many clinicians start with treatment without a thorough examination and diagnosis of the case. It is important to take a step back, reach into our drawers and grab our periodontal probes.
Periodontal disease is a global problem, most often not diagnosed properly and thus not treated. Patients are not informed about the presence as well as the risks associated with periodontal disease. Why is this diagnosis important?
In the last couple of years, the link between periodontal disease and systemic conditions has become a hot topic. The presence of an oral infection such as periodontal disease might be a causative or exacerbating factor for some systemic conditions. Internationally, many countries impose harsh penalties on clinicians that do not diagnose or inform patients of the consequences of periodontal disease. It is our duty as clinicians to be alert and take a step back when we examine our patients.
The aim of this lecture is to discuss the diagnosis of periodontal disease, the link to systemic conditions and the role of the clinician in the process. The outcome will help the clinician identify and diagnose periodontal disease as well as new trends in diagnosis, how to inform patients about the possible consequences and how maintenance should be carried out.
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