Treatment of a patient with Papillon-Lefèvre syndrome. A case report.

A vital root submersion procedure was performed in a rare case of Papillon-Lefèvre syndrome (PLS). Although the etiology and pathogenesis are obscure, possible host genetic defects and known or unknown periodontal pathogens may play important roles in the progression of PLS. Since this patient did not respond to conventional periodontal therapy, a submersion procedure was employed to maintain the alveolar ridge and resulted in controlling the progression of the patient's severe periodontitis. The following is a report of the treatment and the rationale for therapy.