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Aims of periodontal treatment

Periodontal surgery is a regenerative treatment method within periodontology.

The tooth-supporting apparatus forms in a finely tuned process in which enamel matrix proteins play a key role. They control that cementum, fibres and bone are built in the right order and the right proportion.

What treatment aims at

A good decade ago it became possible to make these proteins available after tooth development is complete. That shifted the goal of periodontal therapy: it no longer merely halts the loss but seeks to regain lost tissue.

Three aims stand side by side – ending the inflammation, keeping the tooth, and where possible rebuilding the supporting apparatus.

Answered briefly

Frequently asked questions

To bring the inflammation to a standstill, to reduce the pockets far enough that they can be cleaned, and to keep the tooth. A dentition as before the disease is not the aim and usually not possible.

By pocket depths that are lower at re-measurement and above all by probing that no longer bleeds. The absence of bleeding is regarded as the best sign of a stable situation.

That depends on the findings. Severely loosened teeth with far-advanced bone loss sometimes cannot be kept. The treatment plan states in advance which teeth are regarded as questionable.