MINIMALLY INVASIVE PERIODONTAL THERAPY : A PARADIGM SHIFT

Minimally invasive treatment is a major advancement in dental therapy and is rapidly becoming part of the average dentist’s daily practice. These innovations range from cavity preparation through surgical modalities. The extent of this radical advancement can be illustrated by changes in periodontal therapy. It was traditionally necessary to elevate large mucogingival flaps for access to underlying structures. These procedures often resulted in esthetic deformities, food impaction, and increased thermal sensitivity. The innovations described in this text detail approaches that stand in marked contrast to traditional methods. Minimally invasive methods for periodontal treatment routinely yield long-term reductions of probing depths and increased clinical attachment levels that exceed those reported for traditional approaches. . One of the greatest advantages to the clinician is the increased patient acceptance and satisfaction with minimal encroachment versus traditional approaches. This text will allow the reader to understand minimally invasive periodontal procedures and how they can benefit the reader's Practice.