About the book
Healthy periodontium is a prerequisite for a healthy mouth. The periodontal ligament is a specialized connective tissue that provides anchorage and helps in maintaining the integrity of the dentition. Diseases of the periodontium are one of the commonly encountered oral diseases affecting a vast majority of the population. The common etiological factors include plaque and calculus which creates a microbiological niche composed of pathological organisms leading to the destruction of the periodontal tissues. Recent advances in technology have enabled the isolation and identification of pathological microorganisms thereby improving therapeutic response and prognosis. The understanding of molecular pathogenesis has also vastly improved in recent times. While therapeutic modalities are well documented, the prognosis is not satisfactory at all times. One of the possibilities is the delay in disease diagnosis which could be improved by the identification of disease-based biomarkers using saliva, gingival crevicular fluid, and point of care testing. This book aims to provide an overview of periodontal diseases and highlight the recent advances pertaining to understanding pathogenesis as well as early diagnosis and treatment.
