Supportive periodontal therapy for maintaining dentition in adults treated for periodontitis

Periodontitis, commonly known as gum disease, refers to inflammation of the periodontal tissue surrounding the teeth. Pathogenic bacterial infiltration of the gum tissue causes an immune-mediated inflammatory response that results in destruction of the connective tissues and bone that support the teeth (Figure 1). Periodontal disease can be classified as chronic or aggressive and localised or generalised, depending on the presentation of the disease and its progression over time, respectively. If left untreated, it can lead to overt inflammation and progressive mobility of affected teeth as the gap between the tooth and the gum increases. This can result in pain, difficulty eating, aesthetic concerns and tooth loss (Manresa et al, 2018). According to estimates from the World Health Organization, between 1% and 79% of the global population suffers from advanced periodontal disease (WHO, 2004).