2024-07-24 03:38:25
(ANSA) – ROME, JULY 23 – “Periodontitis: it can be cured in the long term”. This is certainly good news, but let’s evaluate in detail what scientific knowledge supports this statement.
Periodontitis is a multifactorial chronic inflammatory disease associated with dysbiotic dental plaque biofilm: the coexistence relationship between the host (our organism) and the microorganisms that colonize the dental surfaces bordering the gum is altered.
The consequences of this disease are the destruction of connective tissue, bone resorption and tooth loss.
How many people does this disease affect? Periodontitis is the sixth among non-communicable diseases (cardiovascular diseases, chronic respiratory diseases, tumors, diseases, diabetes, mental health problems, musculoskeletal disorders), it affects in its variants over 40% of individuals living in industrialized countries, while the most serious forms permanently involve more than 10% of the world population with significant aesthetic, chewing and psychological problems in affected patients.
Is it an isolated disease? Periodontitis interacts with many systemic diseases, including cardiovascular disease and diabetes, treatment of periodontitis improves the cardiovascular risk profile and improves glycemic control.
Is it possible to recover from this disease? Periodontitis sees bacterial contamination as the “primum movens” of the disease but is favored by predisposing factors, called risk factors, which are modifiable: smoking, diabetes, stress, presence of bacterial plaque, and non-modifiable (genetic predisposition and familiarity).
For this reason, a patient suffering from periodontitis may consider his periodontium (tooth attachment system) to be “healed” but remains at greater risk of new episodes of the disease or its recurrence.
An effective therapy protocol includes sequential steps aimed at controlling the infection, reducing inflammation, and stabilizing the result over time through supportive periodontal therapy.
If a fruitful collaborative relationship can be established between the therapist and the patient suffering from periodontitis, a condition of Healed Periodontium can be achieved that can be maintained over a long period of time (up to 30 years in a study published in 2004). The winning strategy is therefore: correct diagnosis – effective therapy – stabilization of the result according to a prevention program personalized to the needs of the individual patient.
(ANSA).
2024-07-24 03:38:25