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Guidelines for periodontal care and follow-up during orthodontic treatment in adolescents and young adults

Abstract

Aggressive periodontitis is characterized by non-contributory medical history, rapid attachment loss and bone destruction and familial aggregation of cases. Aggressive periodontitis (both localized and generalized) is usually diagnosed in a young population. This is frequently the age that an orthodontic care is provided to this population. The aim of the present paper is to draw guidelines for periodontal evaluation and monitoring prior to and during active orthodontic treatment. Strict adherence to these guidelines as a routine protocol for periodontal examination prior, during and following orthodontic treatment may dramatically decrease the severity and improve the prognosis of patients with aggressive periodontitis in orthodontic clinics.

Aggressive periodontitis; Diagnosis; Bone loss; Gingival recession; Gingivitis; Radiography


REVIEW

Guidelines for periodontal care and follow-up during orthodontic treatment in adolescents and young adults

Liran LevinI; Shmuel EinyII; Hadar ZigdonI; Dror AizenbudIII; Eli E. MachteiI

IDMD, Department of Periodontology, School of Graduate Dentistry, Rambam Health Care Campus; Faculty of Medicine, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel

IIDMD, MSc, Orthodontic and Craniofacial Center, School of Graduate Dentistry, Rambam Health Care Campus, Haifa, Israel

IIIDMD, MSc, Orthodontic and Craniofacial Center, School of Graduate Dentistry, Rambam Health Care Campus; Faculty of Medicine, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel

Corresponding address Corresponding address: Dr. Liran Levin Department of Periodontology School of Graduate Dentistry Rambam Health Care Campus, P.O. Box 9602 Haifa 31096, Israel Phone: 972-4-8542983 e-mail: liranl@tx.technion.ac.il

ABSTRACT

Aggressive periodontitis is characterized by non-contributory medical history, rapid attachment loss and bone destruction and familial aggregation of cases. Aggressive periodontitis (both localized and generalized) is usually diagnosed in a young population. This is frequently the age that an orthodontic care is provided to this population. The aim of the present paper is to draw guidelines for periodontal evaluation and monitoring prior to and during active orthodontic treatment. Strict adherence to these guidelines as a routine protocol for periodontal examination prior, during and following orthodontic treatment may dramatically decrease the severity and improve the prognosis of patients with aggressive periodontitis in orthodontic clinics.

Key words: Aggressive periodontitis. Diagnosis. Bone loss. Gingival recession. Gingivitis. Radiography.

INTRODUCTION

The term "aggressive periodontitis" was first introduced at the World Workshop on Periodontal Disease Classification3. Previously, different clinical patterns of significant loss of alveolar bone and attachment in young adults were known as early onset or juvenile periodontitis. Aggressive periodontitis is characterized by non-contributory medical history, rapid attachment loss and bone destruction and familial aggregation of cases. Localized aggressive periodontitis usually present circumpubertal onset and localized first molar/incisor presentation with interproximal attachment loss on at least two permanent teeth, one of which is a first molar, and involving no more than two teeth other than first molars and incisors. While generalized aggressive periodontitis presents generalized interproximal attachment loss affecting at least three permanent teeth other than first molars and incisors with pronounced episodic nature of the destruction of attachment and alveolar bone3.

The prevalence of localized aggressive periodontitis varies greatly; from 0.1-0.2% reported in European populations6,13 to 5% in Hispanic populations1, up to 10% for African-Americans in the US. Löe and Brown9 (1991) estimated that African-American teenagers are 15 times more likely to present aggressive periodontitis than Caucasians. However, a large variation still exists in different African populations. Harley and Floyd5 (1988) report a prevalence of 0.8% among Nigerian teenagers, and Arowojolu and Nwokorie4 (1997) found a prevalence of 1.6% among 17-34 years olds in a Nigerian hospital clinic. More recently, Albandar, et al.2 (2002) report among 12-25-year-old who attended Ugandan schools 6.5% aggressive periodontitis (either localized or generalized) and 22% incidental aggressive lesions. Similarly, other ethnical groups show high prevalence of this disease; in a recent study from Israel, aggressive periodontitis was found in 5.9% of the subjects7.

Aggressive periodontitis (both localized and generalized) is usually diagnosed in a young population. This is frequently the age that an orthodontic care is provided to this population.

The first molar, usually involved in aggressive periodontitis, is also the tooth frequently in use as an abutment for different active or passive orthodontic appliances. Several orthodontic distalization appliances used in Class II malocclusions, such as headgear, pendulum or distal jet, incorporated bilateral orthodontic molars bands on upper first molars. Lip bumper, which is a lower distalization appliance, is also anchored bilaterally to lower molar bands. Maxillary expanders, such as Haas or Hyrax appliances, are soldered to maxillary molars bands. Uni/bilateral space maintainers, frequently used in pediatric dentistry and orthodontics, include maxillary or mandibular molar bands soldered to a thick orthodontic wire as can be presented by Nance appliance, transpalatal arch and lingual arch appliances. Moreover, most of the regular orthodontic treatment plans include a fixed orthodontic appliance attached to maxillary and mandibular dental arch. In this appliance molar bands or tube are often attached to first molars.

This way, it is of outmost importance to diagnose this disease as early as possible to prevent non-reversible damage to the attachment apparatus. Furthermore, the intimate contact of the orthodontic appliance including molar bands as well as retainers with the gingival tissue has a detrimental effect on oral hygiene, and bacterial plaque8,10-12,14 thus contributing to greater gingival inflammation in these patients (Figure 1).


Furthermore, as aggressive periodontitis usually develops during adolescence and young patients are commonly undergoing orthodontic treatment during this age with frequent visits to the orthodontic clinic, it would only make sense to call upon the orthodontist to screen for early signs of aggressive periodontitis and initiate interceptive measures. Therefore, the aim of the present paper is to draw guidelines for periodontal evaluation and monitoring prior to and during active orthodontic treatment.

GUIDELINES

In order to intercept patients with aggressive periodontitis in the orthodontic clinic as early as possible, it is recommended that periodontal examination be performed prior, during and following orthodontic treatment (Figure 2). In addition, this protocol suggests different modes of action for different periodontal conditions during the orthodontic treatment (Figure 3).



BEFORE ORTHODONTIC TREATMENT

Prior to treatment, the orthodontist must make sure the patient is capable of performing adequate oral hygiene measurements. In patients who do not comply with the required oral hygiene, active orthodontic treatment should be postponed until satisfactory plaque control is achieved. The patient should be informed that non-adherence to the oral hygiene protocol will result in discontinuation of the orthodontic treatment.

As a routine, prior to commencement of the orthodontic treatment, clinical and radiographic periodontal assessment should be performed. Clinical examination should include full-mouth probing using a standard periodontal probe, tooth mobility assessment and gingival recession. Radiographic evaluation should include vertical bitewing radiographs for the molar and premolar area combined with parallel periapical radiographs of the incisors (maxillary and mandibular). In subjects where pathologic periodontal pockets are observed or bone loss is detected in the radiographs, the patient should be referred for a periodontal consultation and interceptive/corrective therapy.

DURING ORTHODONTIC TREATMENT

Oral hygiene instruction and motivation should be performed after placement of the orthodontic appliances. During every visit, it is important to make sure that adequate plaque control is performed by the patient. The orthodontic appliances usually have a negative effect on oral hygiene performance thus, careful assessment and adjustment of the oral hygiene tools are necessary. Non-adherence to the oral hygiene protocols requires at least a temporary halt of the orthodontic treatment until significant improvement is evident. Periodontal recall appointments once every 3 months are advised for the period of active orthodontic treatment. This should be performed in a separate dedicated visit.

During orthodontic treatment, clinical periodontal evaluation (including periodontal probing) should be performed every 6 months. A finding of pathological pocket will require further radiographic evaluation and referral to a periodontist. Removal of the orthodontic appliance should be considered to improve periodontal outcome. After the resolution of the periodontal disease the orthodontic treatment may resume. Nonetheless, in the cases where periodontal flare-up had occurred, special care and follow-up is warranted in order to avoid recurrent periodontal disease. Radiographic examination should be performed at least once a year during the orthodontic treatment. It should include vertical bitewing radiographs for the molar and premolar area combined with parallel periapical radiographs of the incisors (maxillary and mandibular). Radiographic evaluation could also serve for caries detection and root resorption evaluation during treatment.

FOLLOWING ORTHODONTIC TREATMENT COMPLETION

The scheduled follow-up appointments after the completion of the orthodontic treatment might also serve as an opportunity for early detection of aggressive periodontitis in adolescence and young adults. Again, it is advised to perform quick clinical periodontal evaluation as a part of the follow-up and to combine radiographic examination once a year (vertical bitewing radiographs for the molar and premolar area combined with parallel periapical radiographs of the incisors). It should be kept in mind that orthodontic retainers, both removable and fixed, are potentially plaque retentive devices and as such have potential risk for periodontal breakdown8,15.

SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS

Early diagnosis and treatment are essential for successful long-term prognosis in patients with aggressive periodontitis. The role of the orthodontist in diagnosis and referral to periodontal treatment is crucial since most orthodontic patients are adolescents in which aggressive periodontitis mostly affects.

Many patients undergoing orthodontic treatment believe that their regular and frequent visits to the orthodontic office are sufficient to monitor their dental and periodontal needs. Orthodontists should be aware of this notion, which makes the fulfillment to the above guidelines of even greater importance.

Strict adherence of these guidelines as a routine protocol for periodontal examination prior, during and following orthodontic treatment may dramatically decrease the severity and improve the prognosis of aggressive periodontitis in orthodontic based clinic.

Finally, this protocol might aid the orthodontist avoiding ethical and even legal issues regarding periodontal disease detection and treatment in their patients.

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

No funding was received for this study, and the authors report no conflicts of interest.

Received: August 14, 2010

Accepted: April 03, 2011

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  • Corresponding address:
    Dr. Liran Levin
    Department of Periodontology
    School of Graduate Dentistry
    Rambam Health Care Campus, P.O. Box 9602
    Haifa 31096, Israel
    Phone: 972-4-8542983
    e-mail:
  • Publication Dates

    • Publication in this collection
      27 Sept 2012
    • Date of issue
      Aug 2012

    History

    • Received
      14 Aug 2010
    • Accepted
      03 Apr 2011
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