Occlusal considerations in periodontics

Abstract

Periodontal disease does not directly affect the occluding surfaces of teeth, consequently some may find a section on periodontics a surprising inclusion. Trauma from the occlusion, however, has been linked with periodontal disease for many years. Karolyi published his pioneering paper, in 1901 'Beobachtungen über Pyorrhoea alveolaris' (occlusal stress and 'alveolar pyorrhoea').1 However, despite extensive research over many decades, the role of occlusion in the aetiology and pathogenesis of inflammatory periodontitis is still not completely understood. © British Dental Journal 2001;