Treatment of Advanced Periodontal Disease: Keys to Achieving Restoration Longevity.

Dental treatment for periodontally compromised patients can be highly complicated and challenging. This article addresses the effectiveness of contemporary periodontal treatment modalities by depicting clinical cases of periodontal restoration and health that have been maintained for 20 or more years. The cases incorporate four key steps vital to achieving successful treatment of chronic adult periodontitis: debridement, occlusal stabilization, pocket elimination, and maintenance. These cases demonstrate proof of principle that if the treatment is carefully planned and executed precisely, the natural dentition can be maintained for long periods of time even in periodontally compromised patients.