Periodontal infections and therapeutic implications. Future perspectives for the 21th century

A.J. van Winkelhoff, W.A. van der Reijden

    Research output: Contribution to JournalArticleAcademic

    Abstract

    Periodontitis is a multifactorial infection of the tooth-supporting tissuses. Subgingival bacteria play an essential role in the onset and progression of the disease. Other factors such as smoking, stress, systemic disease, impairment of the host immune system and possibly genetic factors may be important modifying factors. The microbial composition of the subgingival plaque in periodontitis can differ significantly between indifiduals and pathogens usually occur in certain clusters. Strict anaerobic Gram negative rods as well as the Gram negative capnophylic Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans are believed to be major pathogens in the progression of periodontitis. Mechanical debridement and periodontal surgery may not be effective in controlling the periodontal infection in all patients. In those individuals, systemic periodontal antimicrobial therapy can be a powerful additional tool to arrest active periodontal breakdown. The rationale for the use of clinical periodontal microbiology as a mean to select patients that may benefit from antibiotic therapy is discussed.
    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)141-156
    Number of pages16
    JournalJournal de Parodontologie & d'Implantologie Orale
    Volume19
    Issue number2
    Early online date1 May 2000
    Publication statusPublished - 2000

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