Clinical Calibration and Standardization in Periodontics, a Must for the Dental Practice

Abstract

Periodontal diseases, including gingivitis and periodontitis, are recognized as the most prevalent diseases worldwide¹. Severe untreated periodontitis is associated with tooth loss in adults, which negatively impacts the quality of life by impairing masticatory function, esthetics, and social integration. Therefore, early diagnosis, accompanied by adequate treatment, has the potential to prevent tooth loss and preserve masticatory function in those affected by periodontitis². The diagnosis of periodontitis, and subsequent therapeutic decisions, are conventionally based on the use of periodontal probing to measure a set of clinical signs, such as probing depth, bleeding on probing, and clinical attachment levels, in addition to plaque and calculus accumulation, accompanied by interpretation of radiographic data, including the extent and pattern of bone loss.