New infographics illustrate guideline for the treatment of stage IV periodontitis

The EFP has launched a new set of infographics to facilitate the interpretation and application of the EFP clinical practice guideline for the treatment of patients with stage IV periodontitis.

The guidelines aim to provide information on:

• Multidisciplinary therapeutic approaches in the treatment of periodontitis
• How to minimise tooth loss associated with periodontitis
• How to improve overall systemic health and quality of life

"Understanding and applying the new guideline for the multidisciplinary treatment of stage IV periodontitis is crucial for our practice”, said Moritz Kebschull, EFP president and one of the authors of the guideline.” The EFP’s second evidence-based guideline, published in the Journal of Clinical Periodontology in June 2022, is a culmination of extensive research, including 13 systematic reviews of various periodontal and multidisciplinary therapies. This guideline emerged from the Perio Workshop 2021 in La Granja, Spain, where global experts discussed the complexities and challenges of treating stage IV periodontitis. The new infographics will be instrumental in visually conveying these guidelines, making it easier for all dental professionals to collaborate effectively – from periodontists to orthodontists and prosthodontists – in restoring function and managing the sequelae of periodontitis. These tools will enhance our ability to tackle the significant challenges of tooth loss and mastication problems, ensuring better patient outcomes."

The infographics address different challenges (“case types”) in patients with stage IV periodontitis:

• Case type 1: patient with tooth hypermobility due to secondary occlusal trauma (excessive forces on teeth with some bone loss), that can be corrected with tooth replacement
• Case type 2: patient with pathological tooth migration, characterised by tooth elongation, drifting and flaring, which is amenable to orthodontic correction
• Case type 3: partially edentulous patients, who can be prosthetically restored without full-arch rehabilitation. Prosthetic restorations can be removable or fixed, and can use teeth or implants as support
• Case type 4: partially edentulous patients who need to be restored with full-arch rehabilitation in one or both maxillary arches. Rehabilitations can be removable or fixed, and supported on teeth or implants.

“The Case Type 1 infographic includes information on early and long-term measures to control occlusal overload and secondary occlusal trauma. For Case Type 2 patients, the infographic illustrates orthodontic therapy for different situations, for example, orthodontic therapy to maintain/improve periodontal outcomes, and supportive care after orthodontic therapy,” explains Anton Sculean, chair of the EFP European Projects Committee and one of the authors of the guideline.

Raluca Cosgarea, secretary of the EFP European Projects Committee, described the infographic for Type 3 and 4 patients: “These graphics encapsulate specific recommendations for different cases, such as time point of definitive prosthesis and implant therapy, including general considerations about when to incorporate dental implants in cases of advanced periodontitis. The infographics can be found on the EFP website and on the EFP app. We hope they will help oral health professionals apply recommendations from the guidelines for the treatment of stage IV periodontitis.”

“Stage IV periodontitis poses many complex challenges,” said David Herrera, chair of the EFP Perio Workshop committee that produced the guideline. "Derived from collaborative efforts, including experts from dental specialties outside periodontology, such as orthodontics or prosthodontics, the guideline was an important contribution to clinical practice. To aid in the dissemination and application of these recommendations, the EFP is now launching a series of infographics to visually summarise them. Treating stage IV periodontitis requires not only periodontal interventions but also a coordinated approach involving a multidisciplinary team. The guideline and infographics are designed to improve systemic health and quality of life for patients facing the most severe challenges of periodontitis."

The EFP guideline also includes recommendations on what patients need to know about treatment. Kebschull highlights: "We need to ensure that patients are fully informed about their diagnosis, including causes, risk factors, treatment alternatives, and the expected risks and benefits. This includes explaining the risks of refusing treatment. Following this discussion, we must agree on a personalised care plan, which may need to be modified during the treatment journey based on patient preferences, clinical findings, and changes in overall health."

The new EFP infographics are adaptations of the latest guidelines. Read the original article below.

Original article

Link to infographics