Introduction
Effectively treating and managing periodontal disease is essential for successful treatment planning. The European Federation of Periodontology (EFP) published a clinical practice guideline containing evidence-based recommendations for treating stages I-III of periodontitis. Nonsurgical instrumentation is a critical aspect of successfully implementing these recommendations.
The guideline recommends the treatment of stages I-III of periodontitis be delivered in four distinct steps, each with different interventions that clinicians follow sequentially. The first step builds the foundation for optimal treatment outcomes before subgingival debridement.
This article provides tips on meeting the EFP guideline using best practices in periodontal instrumentation to facilitate client care.
Additionally, this article provides information on:
- Client behaviour change interventions.
- Dental plaque biofilm identification and removal, including a discussion on air polishing devices.
- Subgingival and supragingival hand instrumentation, covering types of available instruments, appropriate instrument selection and use, client positioning, instrument sharpening, and monitoring instrument wear.
- Ultrasonic instrumentation, including instrument selection and setup.
Conclusion
This article highlights key considerations for optimizing instrument use to manage periodontitis and enhance client care. As with any instrument used in oral healthcare, following instructions for use and understanding its full functionality enhances client outcomes and improves clinician comfort and safety.
