Periodontology Flashcards
In what situation would mouthwash be recommended for use?
When a patient cannot effectively clean mechanically
Name all seven components of toothpaste
- Abrasives
- Detergent
- Binding agents
- Thickeners
- Humectants
- Preservatives
- Flavours and sweeteners
What toothpaste component is used to aid plaque/stain removal?
Abrasives
What component of toothpaste causes it to foam?
Detergent
What is the role of binding agents as a toothpaste component?
Prevent separation of liquid and solid phases of paste during storage
What is the role of thickeners as a toothpaste component?
They give consistency
What toothpaste component conserves moisture?
Humectants
What is the role of preservatives as a toothpaste component?
Prevent bacterial growth
What is the most likely toothpaste component that patients can be allergic to?
Flavourings
What toothpaste is advised for use when a patient presents with large calculus build-up?
Triclazan
What is the effect of calculus build-up on plaque?
It causes plaque to accumulate
What mouthwash can increase calculus formation as well as staining?
Chlorohexidine
What is staining, induced by chlorohexidine, causd by?
CHX binding tannins
Can mouthwash penetrate the biofilm?
No
What does PMPR stand for?
Professional mechanical plaque removal
What are the aims of non-surgical periodontal debridement? ( i.e. hand instrumentation and ultrasonics)
To remove supra- and subgingival calculus deposits from the tooth surface, as well as disrupting pathogenic subgingival plaque biofilm
If calculus is essentially an inert mineralised deposit, why is it necessary to remove it?
Because calculus acts as a plaque trap, promoting further build up of plaque. Removal of calculus also makes maintaining OH easier for patients
What two key health instructions could be given to patient to prevent future build-up of calculus?
Oral hygiene instruction and smoking cessation
Why do we get less BOP in smokers?
Mainly due to the ‘masking effect’ which means there are reduced levels of periodontal inflammation and gingival vascularity.
What is important to warn smoking patients about for if they stop smoking and their OH improves?
That their gums may BOP
Why is sub-gingival PMPR usually carried out with LA?
Because patients may experience pain during subgingival PMPR due to the nerve supply from the periodontal soft tissues and the root dentine
What is the recommended time before a pocket should be re-probed following subgingival PMPR?
10-12 weeks
Ideally, when should you see a pateint post subgingival PMPR, only to check OH is being maintained?
4-6 weeks
What are the four stages of periodontal wound healing?
- haemostasis
- inflammation
- proliferation
-remodelling
Angiogenesis is an essential phase in the proliferation stage of wound healing. Define angiogenesis.
New blood vessels form from pre-existing vessels
At what depth are perio pockets when periodontitis status is at ‘currently stable’?
4mm or less
Why is there usually more recession following non-surgical periodontal treatment?
Reduction in inflammatory swelling results tissue shrinkage (more recession)
If a perio patient has to move from a small tepe brush for interproximal cleaning to a large tepe brush is this good or bad, and why?
A good thing, shows that there has been shrinkage in tissue due to reduced inflammation
What are the two phases of perio healing?
- reattachment
- new attachment
Re-union of tissue with a root which has been pathologically exposed due to periodontitis, is known as?
New attachment
What structures make up the periodontium?
- PDL
- root cementum
- alveolar bone
- gingival tissues ( gingival epithelium and connective tissue)
what does regeneration of the periodontium mean?
Returning the periodontium to normal as if disease never happened
what four tissues can be involved in periodontal pocket healing?
- gingival epithelial cells
- gingival connective tissue cells
- bone ells
- periodontal ligament cells
Which tissue, involved in perio pocket healing, is the fastest cell type to develop following perio treatment?
Gingival epithelium
What is the negative impact of fast growing gingival epithelium cells?
They can block the growth of other cell types involved in perio pocket healing, preventing regeneration of perio tissues
What type of epithelium do fast growing gingival epithelial tissues form?
Long junctional epithelium by new attachment
What are the three reasons for reduced probing depth following successful perio treatment?
- reduction in inflammatory swelling
- improved tissue resistance to probing
- formation of the long junctional epithelium
What type of patients tend to have worse treatment outcomes, with less successful pocket depth reduction.
Smokers
In what situation would 4mm perio pockets be deemed ‘currently stable’?
If there is no BOP
What are the key features of periodontal treatment success?
- pateint is comfortable
- all pockets are 4mm or less
- consistently low BOP below 10%
- adequate plaque control
- cleansable restorations
what would be the next step for a patient with successful non-surgical perio treatment?
Move patient onto maintenance/ supportive periodontal therapy (SDL)
If a perio patient is young and very susceptible to periodontal disease, how long between maintenance appointments should be left?
3 months
What are key features of perio treatment failure?
- discomfort of patient
- deep persistent pockets that aren’t maintainable by OH at home measures
- persistent BOP
- persistent suppuration
- increasing LOA
What are the five main causes of periodontal treatment failure?
- inadequate plaque control
- original assessment/diagnosis incorrect
- inadequate debridement
- patient is a poor responder to treatment ( possible underlying medical condition)
- inadequate maintenance/SPT
What is the most common cause of periodontal treatment failure?
Inadequate plaque control
What perio patient may require palliative care?
Patients who refuse to take responsibility for condition and treatment plans (OH), also those who have failed non-surgical perio treatment for other reasons.