Clinical Knowledge Summaries
Welcome to the Clinical Knowledge Summaries – your trusted resource for expert-written answers to the most commonly asked clinical questions. These concise, evidence-based overviews are designed for quick reference, providing practical guidance on managing periodontal health and its connection to systemic conditions.
Authored by medical and dental professionals, the summaries aim to enhance clinical knowledge and patient care. Stay informed, save time, and access expert insights to enhance your practice.
Please note, these concise overviews are meant to complement, not replace, comprehensive clinical training or guidelines. While every effort is made to ensure accuracy and relevance at the time of publication, readers are encouraged to remain aware of updates or changes in scientific understanding, clinical guidelines, and best practices.
Clinical Knowledge Summaries
Welcome to the Clinical Knowledge Summaries – your trusted resource for expert-written answers to the most commonly asked clinical questions. These concise, evidence-based overviews are designed for quick reference, providing practical guidance on managing periodontal health and its connection to systemic conditions.
Authored by medical and dental professionals, the summaries aim to enhance clinical knowledge and patient care. Stay informed, save time, and access expert insights to enhance your practice.
Please note, these concise overviews are meant to complement, not replace, comprehensive clinical training or guidelines. While every effort is made to ensure accuracy and relevance at the time of publication, readers are encouraged to remain aware of updates or changes in scientific understanding, clinical guidelines, and best practices.
Clinical Knowledge Summaries
Welcome to the Clinical Knowledge Summaries – your trusted resource for expert-written answers to the most commonly asked clinical questions. These concise, evidence-based overviews are designed for quick reference, providing practical guidance on managing periodontal health and its connection to systemic conditions.
Authored by medical and dental professionals, the summaries aim to enhance clinical knowledge and patient care. Stay informed, save time, and access expert insights to enhance your practice.
Please note, these concise overviews are meant to complement, not replace, comprehensive clinical training or guidelines. While every effort is made to ensure accuracy and relevance at the time of publication, readers are encouraged to remain aware of updates or changes in scientific understanding, clinical guidelines, and best practices.
Featured posts
5 mins to read
Aetiology is defined as the cause or origin of a disease or condition. Pathogenesis refers…
Read more
5 mins to read
A bidirectional relationship, or two-way link, means that two conditions influence each other in both…
Read more
4 mins to read
A growing body of research suggests that periodontitis may contribute to the development of new…
Read more
6 mins to read
Individuals with uncontrolled diabetes are widely recognised to have an increased risk of periodontitis. There…
Read more
5 mins to read
The connection between periodontitis and systemic health is complex and multifaceted. Periodontitis is best understood…
Read more
7 mins read
Diabetes is a chronic metabolic medical condition that can affect the entire body and occurs…
Read more
7 mins read
What is type 1 diabetes? Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition (body’s immune system…
Read more
7 mins read
Peri-implantitis is a condition that affects the tissues surrounding dental implants. It is caused by…
Read more
3 mins to read
The European Federation of Periodontology (EFP) has developed a step-by-step treatment plan for managing peri-implantitis.…
Read more
5 mins to read
Aetiology is defined as the cause or origin of a disease or condition. Pathogenesis refers…
Read more
5 mins to read
A bidirectional relationship, or two-way link, means that two conditions influence each other in both…
Read more
4 mins to read
A growing body of research suggests that periodontitis may contribute to the development of new…
Read more
6 mins to read
Individuals with uncontrolled diabetes are widely recognised to have an increased risk of periodontitis. There…
Read more
5 mins to read
The connection between periodontitis and systemic health is complex and multifaceted. Periodontitis is best understood…
Read more
7 mins read
Diabetes is a chronic metabolic medical condition that can affect the entire body and occurs…
Read more
7 mins read
What is type 1 diabetes? Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition (body’s immune system…
Read more
7 mins read
Peri-implantitis is a condition that affects the tissues surrounding dental implants. It is caused by…
Read more
3 mins to read
The European Federation of Periodontology (EFP) has developed a step-by-step treatment plan for managing peri-implantitis.…
Read more
Clinical Knowledge
Haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c): This test gives an average of blood glucose levels over the past 2-3 months. It is often used to diagnose and monitor…
Read more
Download PDF
Clinical Knowledge
Diabetes is a chronic metabolic medical condition that can affect the entire body and occurs when there is a partial or complete failure to maintain blood sugar (glucose) levels within the normal range. One of the main factors is an absolute or relative lack of insulin in the body and/or lack of effectiveness of insulin (insulin resistance). Insulin is a hormone secreted by special cells (Islets of Langerhans) in the pancreas that helps glucose from food enter the cells to be used for energy and for excess glucose to be stored away for use later.
Read more
Download PDF
Clinical Knowledge
Diabetes is a chronic metabolic medical condition that can affect the entire body and occurs when there is a partial or complete failure to maintain blood sugar (glucose) levels within the normal range. One of the main factors is an absolute or relative lack of insulin in the body and/or lack of effectiveness of insulin (insulin resistance). Insulin is a hormone secreted by special cells (Islets of Langerhans) in the pancreas that helps glucose from food enter the cells to be used for energy and for excess glucose to be stored away for use later.
Read more
Download PDF
Clinical Knowledge
Diabetes is a chronic metabolic medical condition that can affect the entire body and occurs when there is a partial or complete failure to maintain blood sugar (glucose) levels within the normal range. One of the main factors is an absolute or relative lack of insulin in the body and/or lack of effectiveness of insulin (insulin resistance). Insulin is a hormone secreted by special cells (Islets of Langerhans) in the pancreas that helps glucose from food enter the cells to be used for energy and for excess glucose to be stored away for use later.
Read more
Download PDF
Clinical Knowledge
Diabetes is a chronic metabolic medical condition that can affect the entire body and occurs when there is a partial or complete failure to maintain blood sugar (glucose) levels within the normal range. One of the main factors is an absolute or relative lack of insulin in the body and/or lack of effectiveness of insulin (insulin resistance). Insulin is a hormone secreted by special cells (Islets of Langerhans) in the pancreas that helps glucose from food enter the cells to be used for energy and for excess glucose to be stored away for use later.
Read more
Download PDF
Clinical Knowledge
Metabolic syndrome is defined as a clustering of key risk factors. The presence of these risk factors increase the chances of developing heart disease, diabetes, and other health problems. Typically, at least 3 of the risk factors outlined below need to be present to meet the criteria.
Read more
Download PDF
Clinical Knowledge
Type 2 diabetes is thought to result from the interaction between genes and the obesogenic environment we live in. There are non-modifiable risk factors such as age, gender and familial risk. Whilst type 2 diabetes is not exclusive to people with obesity, there is a significant correlation between weight gain and development of diabetes in those at risk. The management of type 2 diabetes typically therefore involves a combination of lifestyle changes, monitoring, medication, and insulin therapy especially with longer duration of disease.
Read more
Download PDF
Clinical Knowledge
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition (body’s immune system turning against itself to cause damage) where the Islets of Langerhans (Iinsulin secreting cells in the pancreas) are targeted by the body’s immune system and causes relative or absolute destruction of the islet cells and a dire lack of insulin secretion. The damage is usually permanent unless the process is identified early and specific treatment can be provided to arrest the autoimmune response. This treatment strategy is still relatively and it is difficult to identify people who have not yet developed symptoms but where the autoimmune process has started to cause damage.
Read more
Download PDF
Clinical Knowledge
Diabetes is a chronic metabolic medical condition that can affect the entire body and occurs when there is a partial or complete failure to maintain blood sugar (glucose) levels within the normal range. One of the main factors is an absolute or relative lack of insulin in the body and/or lack of effectiveness of insulin (insulin resistance). Insulin is a hormone secreted by special cells (Islets of Langerhans) in the pancreas that helps glucose from food enter the cells to be used for energy and for excess glucose to be stored away for use later.
Read more
Download PDF
Clinical Knowledge
If your dental professional suspects you may have periodontitis (irreversible gum disease), they will take a detailed examination to check the health of your gums and the supporting structures.
Read more
Download PDF
Clinical Knowledge
Peri-implantitis is a condition that affects the tissues surrounding dental implants. It is caused by the accumulation of plaque biofilm and is characterised by inflammation of the peri-implant tissues and a progressive loss of the supporting bone around the implant.
Read more
Download PDF
Clinical Knowledge
The European Federation of Periodontology (EFP) has developed a step-by-step treatment plan for managing peri-implantitis. Once peri-implantitis is diagnosed, your dentist will assess whether your implant or its restoration can be saved. The goal of treatment is to stop the disease and stabilise the implant, ensuring it functions well, looks good, and causes no further problems.
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Clinical Knowledge
Did you know that periodontitis (irreversible gum disease) can have an impact on your overall health? Periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory condition associated with a dysbiotic (unbalanced) plaque biofilm. It is thought to play a role on your general health through 2 key pathways: the spread of bacteria and increased inflammation in the body.
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Clinical Knowledge
Did you know that periodontitis (irreversible gum disease) and diabetes affect each other in both directions? This is called a bidirectional relationship. When diabetes is poorly controlled, it can lead to increased inflammation in the body, which can make periodontitis worse. On the other hand, untreated periodontitis causes inflammation in the mouth which then triggers a systemic inflammatory response (inflammation that spreads throughout your body).
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Clinical Knowledge
A growing body of research suggests that periodontitis (irreversible gum disease) may contribute to the development of new cases of type 2 diabetes and possibly gestational diabetes (a type of diabetes that develops during pregnancy in individuals who did not previously have diabetes).
Read more
Download PDF
Clinical Knowledge
If you have uncontrolled diabetes, you are at higher risk of developing periodontitis. Here is a breakdown of the key pathways that diabetes can cause which can impact your gum health.
Read more
Download PDF
Clinical Knowledge
We know that the plaque biofilm (bacteria film on your tooth surface) plays a key role in gum disease. However, it alone is not enough to cause periodontitis. Periodontitis involves a complex interaction between a dysbiotic (unbalanced) plaque biofilm and your body’s immune response (how your body reacts to the bacteria).
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Clinical Knowledge
The European Federation of Periodontology (EFP) has developed a step-by-step treatment plan for managing periodontitis (gum disease). This approach helps improve gum health, reduce the risk of tooth loss, and manage the long-term effects of the disease. Treatment is divided into 4 key steps, each aimed at improving your gum health and preventing future problems.
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Clinical Knowledge
Periodontitis (irreversible gum disease) is a chronic, complex inflammatory disease linked to a dysbiotic (unbalanced) plaque biofilm. It is marked by the progressive breakdown of the structures supporting teeth. Clinically, this is measured by observing the amount of clinical attachment loss (CAL) that has occurred around the teeth.
Read more
Download PDF
Clinical Knowledge
Haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c): This test gives an average of blood glucose levels over the past 2-3 months. It is often used to diagnose and monitor…
Read more
Download PDF
Dental Professionals Clinical Knowledge
Diabetes is a chronic metabolic medical condition that can affect the entire body and occurs when there is a partial or complete failure to maintain blood sugar (glucose) levels within the normal range. One of the main factors is an absolute or relative lack of insulin in the body and/or lack of effectiveness of insulin (insulin resistance). Insulin is a hormone secreted by special cells (Islets of Langerhans) in the pancreas that helps glucose from food enter the cells to be used for energy and for excess glucose to be stored away for use later.
Read more
Download PDF
Dental Professionals Clinical Knowledge
Diabetes is a chronic metabolic medical condition that can affect the entire body and occurs when there is a partial or complete failure to maintain blood sugar (glucose) levels within the normal range. One of the main factors is an absolute or relative lack of insulin in the body and/or lack of effectiveness of insulin (insulin resistance). Insulin is a hormone secreted by special cells (Islets of Langerhans) in the pancreas that helps glucose from food enter the cells to be used for energy and for excess glucose to be stored away for use later.
Read more
Download PDF
Clinical Knowledge
Diabetes is a chronic metabolic medical condition that can affect the entire body and occurs when there is a partial or complete failure to maintain blood sugar (glucose) levels within the normal range. One of the main factors is an absolute or relative lack of insulin in the body and/or lack of effectiveness of insulin (insulin resistance). Insulin is a hormone secreted by special cells (Islets of Langerhans) in the pancreas that helps glucose from food enter the cells to be used for energy and for excess glucose to be stored away for use later.
Read more
Download PDF
Clinical Knowledge
Diabetes is a chronic metabolic medical condition that can affect the entire body and occurs when there is a partial or complete failure to maintain blood sugar (glucose) levels within the normal range. One of the main factors is an absolute or relative lack of insulin in the body and/or lack of effectiveness of insulin (insulin resistance). Insulin is a hormone secreted by special cells (Islets of Langerhans) in the pancreas that helps glucose from food enter the cells to be used for energy and for excess glucose to be stored away for use later.
Read more
Download PDF
Clinical Knowledge
Diabetes is a chronic metabolic medical condition that can affect the entire body and occurs when there is a partial or complete failure to maintain blood sugar (glucose) levels within the normal range. One of the main factors is an absolute or relative lack of insulin in the body and/or lack of effectiveness of insulin (insulin resistance). Insulin is a hormone secreted by special cells (Islets of Langerhans) in the pancreas that helps glucose from food enter the cells to be used for energy and for excess glucose to be stored away for use later.
Read more
Download PDF
Clinical Knowledge
Metabolic syndrome is defined as a clustering of key risk factors. The presence of these risk factors increase the chances of developing heart disease, diabetes, and other health problems. Typically, at least 3 of the risk factors outlined below need to be present to meet the criteria.
Read more
Download PDF
Clinical Knowledge
Type 2 diabetes is thought to result from the interaction between genes and the obesogenic environment we live in. There are non-modifiable risk factors such as age, gender and familial risk. Whilst type 2 diabetes is not exclusive to people with obesity, there is a significant correlation between weight gain and development of diabetes in those at risk. The management of type 2 diabetes typically therefore involves a combination of lifestyle changes, monitoring, medication, and insulin therapy especially with longer duration of disease.
Read more
Download PDF
Clinical Knowledge
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition (body’s immune system turning against itself to cause damage) where the Islets of Langerhans (Iinsulin secreting cells in the pancreas) are targeted by the body’s immune system and causes relative or absolute destruction of the islet cells and a dire lack of insulin secretion. The damage is usually permanent unless the process is identified early and specific treatment can be provided to arrest the autoimmune response. This treatment strategy is still relatively and it is difficult to identify people who have not yet developed symptoms but where the autoimmune process has started to cause damage.
Read more
Download PDF
Clinical Knowledge
Diabetes is a chronic metabolic medical condition that can affect the entire body and occurs when there is a partial or complete failure to maintain blood sugar (glucose) levels within the normal range. One of the main factors is an absolute or relative lack of insulin in the body and/or lack of effectiveness of insulin (insulin resistance). Insulin is a hormone secreted by special cells (Islets of Langerhans) in the pancreas that helps glucose from food enter the cells to be used for energy and for excess glucose to be stored away for use later.
Read more
Download PDF
Clinical Knowledge
Peri-implantitis is a condition that affects the tissues surrounding dental implants. It is caused by the accumulation of plaque biofilm and is characterised by inflammation of the peri-implant tissues and a progressive loss of the supporting bone around the implant.
Read more
Download PDF
Dental Professionals Clinical Knowledge
The European Federation of Periodontology (EFP) has developed a step-by-step treatment plan for managing peri-implantitis.
Once peri-implantitis has been diagnosed, the treating clinician and patient will need to decide whether the implant and/ or prosthesis is treatable.
Read more
Download PDF
Dental Professionals Clinical Knowledge
The European Federation of Periodontology (EFP) has developed a step-by-step treatment plan for managing periodontitis (gum disease).
Treatment is divided into 4 main steps.
Read more
Download PDF
Dental Professionals Clinical Knowledge
A series of measurements are required to understand the extent and severity of the disease.
These measurements can include:
- Probing pocket depth (PPD)
- Gingival recession
- Furcation involvement – bone loss between the roots of multi-rooted teeth
- Tooth mobility
- Full mouth bleeding score/ Full mouth bleeding on probing (BoP)
- Full mouth plaque score
Read more
Download PDF
Dental Professionals Clinical Knowledge
Aetiology is defined as the cause or origin of a disease or condition. Pathogenesis refers to the biological and physiological processes that occur in the body as a disease develops and progresses.
Whilst the plaque biofilm (film on the tooth surfaces) is a prerequisite for periodontitis (irreversible gum disease), it alone is not enough to initiate the disease. The pathogenesis of periodontitis involve a complex interplay between a dysbiotic (unbalanced) plaque biofilm and the host (the individual’s) immune-inflammatory response, leading to tissue destruction.
Read more
Download PDF
Dental Professionals Clinical Knowledge
The connection between periodontitis and systemic health is complex and multifaceted. Periodontitis is best understood as a chronic immune-inflammatory disease associated with a dysbiotic biofilm. It is thought to impact systemic health through 2 main mechanisms.
Read more
Download PDF
Dental Professionals Clinical Knowledge
Individuals with uncontrolled diabetes are widely recognised to have an increased risk of periodontitis.
Read more
Download PDF
Dental Professionals Clinical Knowledge
A bidirectional relationship, or two-way link, means that two conditions influence each other in both directions.
For example, with diabetes and periodontitis, as one condition worsens, it negatively impacts the other. Therefore, poorly controlled diabetes can increase inflammation and result in more severe periodontitis, while periodontitis can raise blood sugar levels and increase the risk of diabetic complications.
Read more
Download PDF
Clinical Knowledge
Haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c): This test gives an average of blood glucose levels over the past 2-3 months. It is often used to diagnose and monitor…
Read more
Download PDF
Dental Professionals Clinical Knowledge
Diabetes is a chronic metabolic medical condition that can affect the entire body and occurs when there is a partial or complete failure to maintain blood sugar (glucose) levels within the normal range. One of the main factors is an absolute or relative lack of insulin in the body and/or lack of effectiveness of insulin (insulin resistance). Insulin is a hormone secreted by special cells (Islets of Langerhans) in the pancreas that helps glucose from food enter the cells to be used for energy and for excess glucose to be stored away for use later.
Read more
Download PDF
Dental Professionals Clinical Knowledge
Diabetes is a chronic metabolic medical condition that can affect the entire body and occurs when there is a partial or complete failure to maintain blood sugar (glucose) levels within the normal range. One of the main factors is an absolute or relative lack of insulin in the body and/or lack of effectiveness of insulin (insulin resistance). Insulin is a hormone secreted by special cells (Islets of Langerhans) in the pancreas that helps glucose from food enter the cells to be used for energy and for excess glucose to be stored away for use later.
Read more
Download PDF
Clinical Knowledge
Diabetes is a chronic metabolic medical condition that can affect the entire body and occurs when there is a partial or complete failure to maintain blood sugar (glucose) levels within the normal range. One of the main factors is an absolute or relative lack of insulin in the body and/or lack of effectiveness of insulin (insulin resistance). Insulin is a hormone secreted by special cells (Islets of Langerhans) in the pancreas that helps glucose from food enter the cells to be used for energy and for excess glucose to be stored away for use later.
Read more
Download PDF
Clinical Knowledge
Diabetes is a chronic metabolic medical condition that can affect the entire body and occurs when there is a partial or complete failure to maintain blood sugar (glucose) levels within the normal range. One of the main factors is an absolute or relative lack of insulin in the body and/or lack of effectiveness of insulin (insulin resistance). Insulin is a hormone secreted by special cells (Islets of Langerhans) in the pancreas that helps glucose from food enter the cells to be used for energy and for excess glucose to be stored away for use later.
Read more
Download PDF
Clinical Knowledge
Diabetes is a chronic metabolic medical condition that can affect the entire body and occurs when there is a partial or complete failure to maintain blood sugar (glucose) levels within the normal range. One of the main factors is an absolute or relative lack of insulin in the body and/or lack of effectiveness of insulin (insulin resistance). Insulin is a hormone secreted by special cells (Islets of Langerhans) in the pancreas that helps glucose from food enter the cells to be used for energy and for excess glucose to be stored away for use later.
Read more
Download PDF
Clinical Knowledge
Metabolic syndrome is defined as a clustering of key risk factors. The presence of these risk factors increase the chances of developing heart disease, diabetes, and other health problems. Typically, at least 3 of the risk factors outlined below need to be present to meet the criteria.
Read more
Download PDF
Clinical Knowledge
Type 2 diabetes is thought to result from the interaction between genes and the obesogenic environment we live in. There are non-modifiable risk factors such as age, gender and familial risk. Whilst type 2 diabetes is not exclusive to people with obesity, there is a significant correlation between weight gain and development of diabetes in those at risk. The management of type 2 diabetes typically therefore involves a combination of lifestyle changes, monitoring, medication, and insulin therapy especially with longer duration of disease.
Read more
Download PDF
Clinical Knowledge
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition (body’s immune system turning against itself to cause damage) where the Islets of Langerhans (Iinsulin secreting cells in the pancreas) are targeted by the body’s immune system and causes relative or absolute destruction of the islet cells and a dire lack of insulin secretion. The damage is usually permanent unless the process is identified early and specific treatment can be provided to arrest the autoimmune response. This treatment strategy is still relatively and it is difficult to identify people who have not yet developed symptoms but where the autoimmune process has started to cause damage.
Read more
Download PDF
Clinical Knowledge
Diabetes is a chronic metabolic medical condition that can affect the entire body and occurs when there is a partial or complete failure to maintain blood sugar (glucose) levels within the normal range. One of the main factors is an absolute or relative lack of insulin in the body and/or lack of effectiveness of insulin (insulin resistance). Insulin is a hormone secreted by special cells (Islets of Langerhans) in the pancreas that helps glucose from food enter the cells to be used for energy and for excess glucose to be stored away for use later.
Read more
Download PDF
Clinical Knowledge
Peri-implantitis is a condition that affects the tissues surrounding dental implants. It is caused by the accumulation of plaque biofilm and is characterised by inflammation of the peri-implant tissues and a progressive loss of the supporting bone around the implant.
Read more
Download PDF
Dental Professionals Clinical Knowledge
The European Federation of Periodontology (EFP) has developed a step-by-step treatment plan for managing peri-implantitis.
Once peri-implantitis has been diagnosed, the treating clinician and patient will need to decide whether the implant and/ or prosthesis is treatable.
Read more
Download PDF
Dental Professionals Clinical Knowledge
The European Federation of Periodontology (EFP) has developed a step-by-step treatment plan for managing periodontitis (gum disease).
Treatment is divided into 4 main steps.
Read more
Download PDF
Dental Professionals Clinical Knowledge
A series of measurements are required to understand the extent and severity of the disease.
These measurements can include:
- Probing pocket depth (PPD)
- Gingival recession
- Furcation involvement – bone loss between the roots of multi-rooted teeth
- Tooth mobility
- Full mouth bleeding score/ Full mouth bleeding on probing (BoP)
- Full mouth plaque score
Read more
Download PDF
Dental Professionals Clinical Knowledge
Aetiology is defined as the cause or origin of a disease or condition. Pathogenesis refers to the biological and physiological processes that occur in the body as a disease develops and progresses.
Whilst the plaque biofilm (film on the tooth surfaces) is a prerequisite for periodontitis (irreversible gum disease), it alone is not enough to initiate the disease. The pathogenesis of periodontitis involve a complex interplay between a dysbiotic (unbalanced) plaque biofilm and the host (the individual’s) immune-inflammatory response, leading to tissue destruction.
Read more
Download PDF
Dental Professionals Clinical Knowledge
The connection between periodontitis and systemic health is complex and multifaceted. Periodontitis is best understood as a chronic immune-inflammatory disease associated with a dysbiotic biofilm. It is thought to impact systemic health through 2 main mechanisms.
Read more
Download PDF
Healthcare Professionals
A growing body of research suggests that periodontitis may contribute to the development of new cases of type 2 diabetes and possibly gestational diabetes (a type of diabetes that develops during pregnancy in individuals who did not previously have diabetes).
Read more
Download PDF
Dental Professionals Clinical Knowledge
Individuals with uncontrolled diabetes are widely recognised to have an increased risk of periodontitis.
Read more
Download PDF
Dental Professionals Clinical Knowledge
A bidirectional relationship, or two-way link, means that two conditions influence each other in both directions.
For example, with diabetes and periodontitis, as one condition worsens, it negatively impacts the other. Therefore, poorly controlled diabetes can increase inflammation and result in more severe periodontitis, while periodontitis can raise blood sugar levels and increase the risk of diabetic complications.
Read more
Download PDF
Periodontitis
