Delineating periodontal research: Climb is worth the view

Abstract

Research in field of periodontology has seen an expansion in the past few decades, which has led to a greater understanding of the disease. Recent research has changed how we think about the etiology and pathogenesis of periodontal disease. Although bacteria are essential for causing periodontitis, the reaction of the host′s immune system is accountable for the majority of the destruction found in periodontal disease. Novel risk factors are being identified and it has been established that environmental and genetic factors may alter the course of periodontal disease. Research in the past decades has indicated that oral health influences overall health and the course of some systemic diseases. Recently, the focus has shifted to an evidence-based approach, which connects the laboratory and clinical data to therapeutic decision-making. Thus, the ultimate aim of all the ongoing research is to prevent the occurrence of disease, control the ongoing disease, and treat the damage already done.

Keywords

• Etiology
• pathogenesis
• periodontal medicine
• periodontal research
• periodontitis