Adjunctive orthodontic therapy in the treatment of juvenile periodontitis: report of a case and review of the literature.

Historically, the patient with juvenile periodontitis (periodontosis) presented as somewhat of an unknown entity to the orthodontist. With uncertainties concerning etiology still present, the orthodontist may be hesitant to undertake orthodontic treatment for the juvenile periodontitis patient. The literature pertaining to proposed etiologic factors and treatment modalities for juvenile periodontitis is briefly reviewed. Current evidence indicates that juvenile periodontitis patients have a compromised host response which allows an exaggerated susceptibility to certain gram-negative organisms. The disease is characterized by rapidly progressing bone loss, which is not associated with marked local irritation or gingival inflammation. Early diagnosis and conservative periodontal treatment have demonstrated good results. However, cases of advanced lesions or those cases that also involve malocclusion and potential occlusal traumatism may benefit from adjunctive orthodontic therapy. Successful management of a case involving multiple tooth loss along with a moderate degree of malocclusion is presented, with emphasis on the coordination of periodontic, orthodontic, and prosthodontic care. Orthodontic movement of teeth into previously affected areas was quite successful after a short healing period following extractions. A suggested protocol for the combined orthodontic, periodontic, and fixed prosthodontic management of the juvenile periodontitis patient is presented. Once the disease process has been arrested, the prognosis of each tooth is evaluated and possible rehabilitations, including orthodontic treatment and fixed prostheses, are planned. Periodontal evaluations are scheduled concurrently with orthodontic appointments to monitor the condition as tooth movement occurs.