A Clinical Study to Assess the Prevalence and Severity of Chronic Periodontitis Among Senior Citizens

Abstract

Chronic inflammation in the gums, periodontal ligament, cementum, and alveolar bone is known as periodontitis. It may lead to tooth loss, difficulty chewing food, a lower quality of life in relation to oral health, and more difficult treatments; it is most common among the elderly. In order to determine the frequency and severity of periodontitis in the elderly, this article offers a research strategy that is focused on clinical practice. Participants in the prospective cross-sectional study are adults (60 and up) who will undergo a battery of exams, including a dental exam, a periodontal exam, a plaque and gingival assessment, a measurement of the depth of the probing pocket, the presence or absence of bleeding during the probing process, the degree to which clinical attachment loss has occurred, the mobility of the teeth, and, when necessary, radiographic evaluation. Periodontitis is now classified according to the 2017 World Workshop criteria, which eliminates the distinction between chronic and aggressive forms and instead employs staging and grading. This is in contrast to the previous usage of the term ‘chronic periodontitis’ [1,2]. Factors that increase the likelihood of adverse events as people age include smoking, diabetes, poor oral hygiene, side effects of medications, inability to perform daily tasks, and lack of access to dental care. Individualized risk assessments, teaching in proper oral hygiene, professional management of plaque above and below the gum line, instrumentation of the gums, control of risk factors, periodontal surgery where needed, and supportive periodontal care are the cornerstones of periodontal treatment.