Quo vadis: what is the future of periodontics? How will we get there?

Abstract Approximately 40 years ago periodontists began systematically developing the evidence to treat predictably and prevent gingivitis and periodontitis. More recently, periodontists have been among a small group of skilled dental‐implant surgeons leading that revolution in dentistry. Today, much of the mild/localized moderate periodontitis is not treated by periodontists, and an increasing number of implants are placed by dentists with limited surgical training. The current field of periodontics includes a broad range of surgical skills and technologies to regenerate predictably destroyed tissues and manage complex interdisciplinary treatment that may, in some way, involve the tissues that support teeth and implants. In addition, periodontal researchers have shown that moderate‐to‐severe periodontitis increases the systemic inflammatory burden and transient bacteremias that result in a significant independent role for periodontitis in multiple systemic diseases. Although many periodontists have very advanced practices that incorporate certain aspects of the current and near‐future dimensions of periodontics, the innovations and technologies have not yet fully integrated throughout the specialty. It is an appropriate time to ask the question: Quo vadis? Which paths have the potential to deliver great value to our patients and to the health‐care system? And who will be our patients in the near future? We propose some key capabilities, knowledge and clinical appl...
Source: Periodontology 2000 - Category: Dentistry Authors: Tags: Review Article Source Type: research