Recognition and treatment of radpdly progressive periodontitis.

Rapidly progressive periodontitis (RPP) affects adolescents and young adults. Plaque composition is about 75 percent gram-negative and 25 percent gram-positive microorganisms. In most cases of periodontal disease, the degree of destruction is related to the quantity of local irritants, but in the case of RPP, the amount of microbial deposits varies. Functional defects in the immune response system are believed to play an important role in RPP. Most patients require a combination of nonsurgical, antibiotic, and surgical treatment. The inverse-bevel periodontal-flap procedure is recommended when periodontal pockets extend apically to the mucogingival junction, and when bone defects are present.