Diagnosis and Nonsurgical Treatment of Periodontitis: Pragmatic Utilization of Contemporary Knowledge.

When treating patients with periodontitis, clinicians need to consider a number of diagnostic issues in light of contemporary knowledge. Such factors include the etiology of periodontal diseases, patterns of disease progression, interpretations of bleeding on probing, hypermobility, radiographs, and probing assessments. Root planing should be limited to areas that are inflamed or have calculus to avoid removal of cementum and inducing root sensitivity. Periodic professional maintenance visits should be based on the patient's periodontal status and ability to comply with maintenance protocols.