Periodontal diseases in children and adolescents: classification, aetiology and management.

The human periodontal diseases are a complex group of disorders that span the entire length of the human life cycle. They are infective in nature, but are mediated by host parasite interactions that are influenced not only by the nature of the pathogens present but also by a variety of underlying immunological and connective tissue anomalies. Thus, on occasion they may reflect systemic disorders that have previously been undiagnosed. As such abnormalities frequently present in childhood or adolescence, knowledge of the potential implications of this broad group of diseases is important. This paper reviews the current classification of childhood periodontal disease and outlines the clinical presentation and management of the more common disorders.