Technique Tips: Subgingival root brushing in periodontal treatment

Periodontal disease is a chronic inflammatory condition that leads ultimately to tooth loss, masticatory dysfunction and reduced quality of life.¹ The 2009 Adult Dental Health Survey (ADHS 2009) highlighted that 94% of the population in England, Wales and Northern Ireland was dentate, meaning that people had at least one tooth.² Only 17% were considered to have very healthy periodontal tissues and 10% were found to have excellent oral health.² Of those surveyed, 45% had periodontal disease, with the majority of individuals suffering from mild levels of disease (pocketing between 4 and 6 mm), while 66% had visible plaque on at least one tooth, with 68% exhibiting calculus deposits.² ADHS 2009 highlighted that 75% of the adults surveyed reported cleaning at least twice daily.² Globally, in 2015, the prevalence of severe periodontitis was estimated as 7.4%.³ Recently, the burden of periodontal disease was discussed in Dental Update.⁴