Aim: To illustrate the treatment of a complex periodontal disease patient utilizing oral disease risk assessment.
Background: Periodontal disease is multifactorial in nature and requires addressing multiple factors in order to manage it successfully. Maintenance care is crucial for a favorable outcome, and risk assessment may help formulate the most suitable treatment plan and maintenance program.
Case description: A 37-year-old man presented at the clinic for comprehensive periodontal treatment prior to replacing his missing teeth. He was healthy but smoked 5-10 cigarettes per day. Based on the clinical and radiographic examinations, the patient had generalized advanced periodontitis with multiple caries lesions, defective fillings, and missing teeth. A comprehensive treatment plan was put for the patient and a detailed assessment of his periodontal disease and caries risk was performed. The patient was assigned as being of high risk for periodontal disease progression and of low-medium caries risk. Three months following execution of the proposed nonsurgical and surgical treatment procedures, the patient demonstrated notable improvement compared to the baseline and was put under a strict maintenance program every 3 months.
Conclusion: The presented case illustrates how oral disease risk assessment measures may be incorporated within comprehensive management of a periodontitis patient. Recommending this approach remains a personal preference and is yet to be substantiated by evidence.
Clinical significance: Incorporating risk assessment measures in daily clinical practice may prevent the onset and/or progression of future disease, reducing unnecessary effort and expenses, and should be evaluated by concerned policymakers.
Keywords: Caries risk; Cariogram; Case report Periodontal risk assessment..