Gingivitis and periodontitis are among the two types of gum disease.
In Malaysia, the prevalence of gum disease among the adults as reported in the National Oral Health Survey of Adults (NOHSA), Oral Health Division, Ministry of Health Malaysia in 2010 showed that 94% of the adults had periodontal disease (gingivitis and periodontitis).
What is active gum treatment?
- It is a treatment that includes:
- Customised oral hygiene instruction.
- Removal of plaque and tartar from the tooth surface (by means of deep scaling i.e. scaling that is done to remove plaque and tartar underneath the gum level and/or assisted by minor gum surgery).
- In order to revert the health of the gum tissue.
What is periodontal maintenance (Supportive Periodontal Therapy)?
- It is an important phase of treatment that normally starts after completion of active gum treatment.
- Continue throughout the life of dentition.
Why is periodontal treatment important?
How frequent periodontal maintenance need to be done?
(Axelsson, Lindhe, & Nystrom, 1991) (Ramfjord, 1987)
What are the procedures involved during periodontal maintenance?
What will happen if the patient does not undergo periodontal maintenance?
Patient who has poor compliance have a higher risk for gum disease progression (Axelsson & Lindhe, 1981) that eventually will lead to loss of teeth.
References
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Axelsson, P., & Lindhe, J. (1981). Effect of controlled oral hygiene procedures on caries and periodontal disease in adults. Results after 6 years. J Clin Periodontol, 8(3), 239-248
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Axelsson, P., Lindhe, J., & Nystrom, B. (1991). On the prevention of caries and periodontal disease. Results of a 15-year longitudinal study in adults. J Clin Periodontol, 18(3), 182-189.
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Ramfjord, S. P. (1987). Maintenance care for treated periodontitis patients. J Clin Periodontol, 14(8), 433-437
| Last Reviewed | : | 19 June 2015 |
| Writer | : | Dr. Freeda Woon bt. Faiza Woon Tai Keat |
| Accreditor | : | Dr. Rajeswary a/p Raman |
