Ortho-Perio Recap

Author: Advanced Hygienist Ionie

As many of us work in practices offering orthodontic treatments, it is important to be aware of the possible adverse outcomes and ways to reduce the risk of these. An important factor to consider is the presence of periodontal diseases and conditions.

A healthy periodontium is necessary for the provision of safe and predictable orthodontic movement. Uncontrolled periodontal attachment loss can occur when orthodontic forces are applied to the teeth in the presence of plaque induced inflammation. Therefore, controlling periodontal inflammation prior to the commencement of treatment is vital.

Periodontal examination is an essential component of the pre-orthodontic treatment assessment. For any patient diagnosed with periodontitis, this includes a full mouth 6-point pocket chart. Orthodontic treatment should not commence without shallow maintainable pockets.

Periodontitis patients should also be closely monitored throughout treatment. As hygienists it is important to understand our role in supporting these patients and ensure effective communication with the treating clinician should any concerns arise.

The full mouth 6-point pocket chart should be recorded every 6 months. If relapse occurs, active orthodontic treatment should be halted and appropriate periodontal treatment provided until stability is achieved again. They should also be supported in maintaining adequate oral hygiene to prevent adverse treatment outcomes.

The Ortho-Perio Mini Masterclass on The Perio School website is an excellent resource if you would like to further your knowledge on this topic. There is also more information on how periodontitis affects the movement of the teeth in The Perio Handbook.