In 2018 the American Academy of Periodontology and European Federation of Periodontology updated the classification system for periodontal disease that includes staging and grading levels. Recently published papers by Harrel et al. have melded those guidelines with clinical decision criteria and appropriate treatments and maintenance needs—based on the scientific literature and decades of documented successful treatment of periodontitis in clinical practice. Dental standards no longer allow for incomplete scaling and root planing and merely observing progressive disease.

The Cobb and Sottosanti paper, “A re-evaluation of scaling and root planing” published in the Journal of Periodontology (2021), concludes that scaling and root planing must be performed to the degree that pocket depth are reduced, roots are smooth, and the clinical signs of inflammation are absent. If not, further treatment recommendations are necessary. Periodontitis is all too often maltreated, including incomplete treatment, lack of timely and ongoing reevaluations, and lack of advanced treatments when indicated. Any of these circumstances may cause harm to the patient.  The goal of the panel discussion is to confront the practice philosophy that leads to inadequate periodontal therapy and to present an approach that will protect patients and clinicians alike.

Learning Objectives:

• Recognize and identify the differences between controlled and progressive periodontal disease
• Understand why the systemic disease implications of ongoing periodontal inflammation is a game changer for how periodontitis is treated
• Learn the “Golden Rule of Dentistry” and how it should be applied
• Discuss the pros and cons of dental implants versus the preservation of  natural teeth with periodontal involvement
• Know the legal responsibility of the dentist and hygienist when treating periodontitis