Periodontal Traumatism

¹ Indiana University School of Dentistry, Indianapolis, Indiana

Most periodontists are convinced that occlusal adjustments will help maintain oral health because good function and healthy oral tissues are interrelated, but apparently a periodontal pocket or even a simple gingivitis cannot be cured by adjusting the occlusion.

There is need for much research on problems associated with stress. Most of the statements made regarding periodontal diseases and occlusal stresses are supported only by clinical obervations and remain to be proved, or disproved, by acceptable scientific research on human subjects.

One need not discredit the many clinical observations made on occlusal trauma, but it should be kept in mind that much that is believed to be true remains to be proved by carefully planned studies of this complex subject on humans.