Periodontitis Etiology, Diagnosis, Current and Future Therapy. A Literature review

Abstract

It is becoming clear that periodontitis is an inflammatory disease initiated by oral microbial biofilm, and likely due to poor oral hygiene and the failure of host immune system. Host response to the bacterial biofilm by the production of cytokines and subsequently inflammation response destroys the periodontium in the pathogenesis of the disease. This could lead to loosening or loss of teeth. In this study, the implicated bacteria and identified cytokines network are addressed as well as the biofilm formation process. The possible biomarkers in the saliva and other fluids are addressed. It is also clear that periodontitis is affected by other host diseases and vice versa. In addition to the non-surgical and surgical methods to treat periodontitis patients and possible topical treatment, more specific methods that utilize cytokine antibodies, cytokine blockers, complement inhibition by Cp40 and cysteine proteinases inhibition by KYT-41 are being developed. Recently photodynamic therapy was reported to promote bone recovery 7 days after periodontal intervention (SRP) in experimental animals. The use of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) will eventually be a very helpful and promising in periodontal tissue repair.