A Comprehensive Approach for a Case of Advanced Periodontal Disease

Abstract

Advanced periodontal disease often compromises the tissues supporting the teeth, causing an increase in their mobility and movement. This causes a collapse of occlusion resulting from deterioration of occlusal support in the molar region and loss of anterior quidance, promoting a vicious cycle that leads to further collapse of the periodontal tissues.
In cases like this, periodontal and prosthetic treatment does not end with control of the inflammation, but also involves occlusal treatment that includes prosthetic restoration of missing teeth. In carrying out periodontal and prosthetic treatment, I feel it especially important to consider:
1. absolute control of inflammation, 2. establishment of the appropriate anterior guidance, and 3. placement of vertical stops in the molar region.
I would like to report this case which involved advanced periodontal disease and temporomandibular joint dysfunction resulting from occlusal collapse owing to missing teeth in the molar region. Although the treatment was extremely difficult for me and took a long time, I feel the results were rather successful.