Periodontal Disease: Diagnosis and Management

A special issue of Diagnostics (ISSN 2075-4418). This special issue belongs to the section "Pathology and Molecular Diagnostics".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 September 2025 | Viewed by 8425

Special Issue Editor

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Periodontitis is an inflammatory disease of bacterial aetiology, leading to the destruction of the anatomical structures supporting the teeth, bone loss, and, eventually, to tooth loss. It is one of the main causes of tooth loss in industrialized countries. Analogously, peri-implantitis is an irreversible inflammatory disease, affecting both soft and hard peri-implant tissue compartments, with consequent loss of osseointegration.

Periodontal bacteria present in the oral cavity can enter the bloodstream and influence systemic diseases such as muscle diseases, intestinal inflammation, metabolic disorders, cancer, nervous system diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, systemic endocrine diseases such as diabetes, immune system diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, and atherosclerosis.

Therefore, correct management of periodontitis is very important, and it requires adequate knowledge of the pathogenesis, primary aetiology, risk factors, and treatment protocols.

The diagnosis of periodontal disease should be clear and simple so that everyone can identify it, and in this regard, various protocols have been proposed. The current diagnosis is based on the recent classification of 2017.

The principal management is based on the removal of parodontogenic bacteria, and modern treatments have been proposed.

Different approaches have been proposed, and in this Special Issue, we would like to illustrate all the latest news in the field of periodontal treatment.

Dr. Francesco D’Ambrosio
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • periodontal disease
  • periodontitis
  • management
  • diagnosis
  • biomarker
  • periodontology

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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Editorial

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4 pages, 191 KiB  
Editorial
Periodontal and Peri-Implant Diagnosis: Current Evidence and Future Directions
by Francesco D’Ambrosio
Diagnostics 2024, 14(3), 256; https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics14030256 - 25 Jan 2024
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2956
Abstract
Dentistry and periodontology in particular are constantly evolving in terms of both diagnostic and therapeutic tools [...] Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Periodontal Disease: Diagnosis and Management)

Research

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13 pages, 258 KiB  
Article
Usefulness of the CDC/AAP and the EFP/AAP Criteria to Detect Subclinical Atherosclerosis in Subjects with Diabetes and Severe Periodontal Disease
by Greicy C. Montenegro-González, Carlos Bea, F. Javier Ampudia-Blasco, Herminia González-Navarro, José T. Real, Maria Peñarrocha-Diago and Sergio Martínez-Hervás
Diagnostics 2025, 15(7), 928; https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics15070928 - 4 Apr 2025
Viewed by 362
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Periodontitis is an inflammatory disease associated with many systemic disorders such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease. The aim was to evaluate the usefulness of the CDC/AAP and the EFP/AAP criteria to detect subclinical atherosclerosis in subjects with diabetes and severe periodontal [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Periodontitis is an inflammatory disease associated with many systemic disorders such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease. The aim was to evaluate the usefulness of the CDC/AAP and the EFP/AAP criteria to detect subclinical atherosclerosis in subjects with diabetes and severe periodontal disease. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study. Atheroma plaque was evaluated by high-resolution carotid and femoral ultrasonography. A dental examination protocol was implemented by a trained periodontist. A full-mouth periodontal clinical examination was carried out at six sites by automated computerized Florida Probe Periodontal Probing. Periodontal disease was defined by CDC/AAP and EFP/AAP criteria. Results: In total, 98 patients were included (60.2% women), of which 50% had diabetes. Subjects with diabetes showed a high prevalence of severe cases of periodontal disease. Both criteria were useful to detect the presence of atheroma plaque only in the presence of diabetes. However, the CDC/AAP criteria had higher correlation with atheroma plaques than EFP/AAP criteria (r = 0.522 vs. r = 0.369, p < 0.001). Conclusions: The CDC/AAP and the EFP/AAP criteria are a useful tool to identify subclinical atherosclerosis in subjects with severe periodontal disease and diabetes. These results show the potential role of the oral healthcare team in the dental office for the identification of subjects with diabetes at risk of developing cardiovascular disease. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Periodontal Disease: Diagnosis and Management)
10 pages, 1243 KiB  
Article
Retrospective Radiographic Analysis of Peri-Implant Bone Loss in Mandibular Full-Arch Implant Rehabilitations
by Francesco Giordano, Alfonso Acerra, Roberta Gasparro, Marzio Galdi, Francesco D’Ambrosio and Mario Caggiano
Diagnostics 2024, 14(21), 2404; https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics14212404 - 29 Oct 2024
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 878
Abstract
Objectives: Can the type of implant rehabilitation influence peri-implant bone loss in case of full-arch mandibular prosthesis? The purpose of the study was to assess, using orthopantomograms (OPGs), the bone loss around implants in different types of implant-supported prosthetic rehabilitations and identify potential [...] Read more.
Objectives: Can the type of implant rehabilitation influence peri-implant bone loss in case of full-arch mandibular prosthesis? The purpose of the study was to assess, using orthopantomograms (OPGs), the bone loss around implants in different types of implant-supported prosthetic rehabilitations and identify potential risk factors, associated with the number and location of implants, that may have an association with bone defects. Methods: A radiographic study was conducted on 22,317 OPGs from 2010 to 2024. All OPGs with implant-supported prosthetic mandibular rehabilitations were included in the study. Results: A total of 155 OPGs were evaluated, with peri-implant bone loss identified in 64 (41.3%). Distal implants (furthest from the center) across various positioning patterns were most susceptible to bone loss, with positions 3.6 and 4.6 demonstrating the most frequent occurrence (25 and 26 cases, respectively). The χ2 test revealed significant associations between both the implant positioning pattern (p < 0.001) and number of implants (p < 0.001) with peri-implant bone loss. Also, by updating the sample of OPGs, increased susceptibility to bone resorption was found for implants placed distal to the mental foramen compared to mesial ones in full-arch-implant-supported fixed prostheses. Conclusions: Prospective clinical studies will therefore be useful in investigating this finding further. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Periodontal Disease: Diagnosis and Management)
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16 pages, 981 KiB  
Article
Insights into the Relationship between Periodontitis and Systemic Sclerosis Based on the New Periodontitis Classification (2018): A Cross-Sectional Study
by Andreea Ciurea, Alina Stanomir, Petra Șurlin, Iulia Cristina Micu, Cristina Pamfil, Daniel Corneliu Leucuța, Simona Rednic, Giulio Rasperini, Andrada Soancă, Adrian Bogdan Țigu, Alexandra Roman, Andrei Picoș and Ada Gabriela Delean
Diagnostics 2024, 14(5), 540; https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics14050540 - 4 Mar 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1763
Abstract
(1) Background: This study aimed to assess the periodontitis burden in systemic sclerosis patients and the possible association between them, and the degree to which some potential risk factors and two potential diagnostic biomarkers may account for this association. (2) Methods: This cross-sectional [...] Read more.
(1) Background: This study aimed to assess the periodontitis burden in systemic sclerosis patients and the possible association between them, and the degree to which some potential risk factors and two potential diagnostic biomarkers may account for this association. (2) Methods: This cross-sectional study included a test group (systemic sclerosis patients) and a control group (non-systemic sclerosis patients). Both groups benefited from medical, periodontal examination and saliva sampling to determine the salivary flow rate and two inflammatory biomarkers (calprotectin, psoriasin). A systemic sclerosis severity scale was established. (3) Results: In the studied groups, comparable periodontitis rates of 88.68% and 85.85%, respectively, were identified. There were no significant differences in the severity of periodontitis among different systemic sclerosis severity, or in the positivity for anti-centromere and anti-SCL70 antibodies. Musculoskeletal lesions were significantly more common in stage III/IV periodontitis (n = 33, 86.84%) than in those in stage I/II (n = 1, 100%, and n = 3, 37.5%, respectively) (p = 0.007). Comparable levels of the inflammatory mediators were displayed by the two groups. There were no significant differences in calprotectin and psoriasin levels between diffuse and limited forms of systemic sclerosis. (4) Conclusions: Within the limitations of the current study, no associations between systemic sclerosis and periodontitis, or between their risk factors, could be proven. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Periodontal Disease: Diagnosis and Management)
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Review

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13 pages, 698 KiB  
Review
Periodontitis, Metabolic Syndrome and Diabetes: Identifying Patients at Risk for Three Common Diseases Using the aMMP-8 Rapid Test at the Dentist’s Office
by Taija Kristiina Hopealaakso, Julie Toby Thomas, Tommi Pätilä, Miika Penttala, Dimitra Sakellari, Andreas Grigoriadis, Shipra Gupta, Timo Sorsa and Ismo T. Räisänen
Diagnostics 2024, 14(24), 2878; https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics14242878 - 21 Dec 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1123
Abstract
Background/Objectives: This narrative review paper highlights the multifaceted influence of dysbiotic biofilm, genetic background, host response, and environmental factors on periodontitis. It explores the roles of type I and II diabetes mellitus, gestational diabetes, and metabolic syndrome in the progression of periodontitis, drawing [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: This narrative review paper highlights the multifaceted influence of dysbiotic biofilm, genetic background, host response, and environmental factors on periodontitis. It explores the roles of type I and II diabetes mellitus, gestational diabetes, and metabolic syndrome in the progression of periodontitis, drawing insights from various empirical studies and theoretical perspectives. Methods: Relevant articles were sourced using keywords in databases like PubMed/Medline, Science Direct, Scopus, and Google Scholar. Additionally, this review examines the relationship between aMMP-8 levels and increased glycemic states, as well as varying degrees of periodontitis severity. Results: The biomarker active-matrix metalloproteinase-8 (aMMP-8), produced by polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN), is highlighted as a reliable indicator of ongoing connective tissue degradation. Dysfunctions in PMN activity, accumulation of advanced glycation end products (AGE), and oxidative stress aggravate the periodontal inflammatory response and complications of diabetes. Traditional diagnostics of periodontitis do not provide sufficient information about the current or future disease initiation or activity of periodontitis. Conclusions: The implications of this review point to the need for monitoring periodontal health by utilizing innovative strategies like aMMP-8 point-of-care testing, using oral rinse for screening and treatment monitoring, and harnessing the potential of supportive treatments like low-dose doxycycline and light-activated mouth rinses for restoring periodontal health. Its expression in oral fluids is a promising diagnostic tool to differentiate periodontitis from gingivitis and healthy periodontium, especially when associated with systemic diseases, fostering greater collaboration among healthcare professionals. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Periodontal Disease: Diagnosis and Management)
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Other

15 pages, 1306 KiB  
Systematic Review
Periodontal Disease in Saudi Arabia: A Systematic Review of Prevalence and Associated Risk Factors
by Thani Alsharari, Mohammed Fareed Felemban, Osama Khattak, Fahad Saeed Algahtani and Abdulrahman Alzahrani
Diagnostics 2025, 15(7), 812; https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics15070812 - 22 Mar 2025
Viewed by 546
Abstract
Background/Objectives: The oral health disorder periodontal disease is widespread around the world and has a public health dimension. This study aimed to perform a systematic review and an appraised analysis that looks at both the prevalence and diversity of risk factors associated [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: The oral health disorder periodontal disease is widespread around the world and has a public health dimension. This study aimed to perform a systematic review and an appraised analysis that looks at both the prevalence and diversity of risk factors associated with periodontal disease in Saudi Arabia. It places a particular focus on subgroup analyses and pooled prevalence estimates to identify certain populations that could be described as high risk. Methods: Several databases, including PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar, were used to conduct the present systematic review. The search was designed to identify relevant studies published from 1980 to 2023. Both quantitative and qualitative studies were included. Subgroup analyses and meta-analyses were performed using a random-effects model to calculate pooled prevalence rates. The studies were evaluated using three criteria that focused on bias. Finally, the authors created a narrative synthesis of the review findings for ease of understanding. Results: The pooled overall prevalence of periodontal disease was 46.2% (95% CI: 40.5–51.8), with high heterogeneity (I2 = 85%). Subgroup analyses identified obese adults as having the highest prevalence of this condition (71.3%), and individuals diagnosed with diabetes also displayed a significantly high prevalence (52.1%). Adolescents aged 15–19 years had an age-specific prevalence of 8.6%, which was significantly lower than that of the other age groups analyzed. Poor oral hygiene, tobacco use, diabetes, and obesity have been recognized as risk factors for periodontal disease. Conclusions: The substantial burden of periodontal disease in Saudi Arabia, especially among high-risk groups, such as obese and diabetic adults, cannot be overstated. Our public health initiatives need to focus on these high-risk individuals, who are likely to be both periodontally and systemically compromised, to provide lifestyle modification counseling and oral hygiene education for them, as well as to routinize their dental care in a way that minimizes the chances of becoming periodontally compromised. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Periodontal Disease: Diagnosis and Management)
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