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Occlusion and periodontal diseases

Figure 15.1 Diagnosis of occlusal trauma.

Figure 15.2 Tooth with healthy periodontal tissues: (a) prior to application of traumatic alternate mesial and distal occlusal forces, (b) following application of traumatic occlusal forces, and (c) following occlusal adjustment. From Lindhe et al. (2008).

Figure 15.3 Tooth with reduced height of healthy periodontal tissues: (a) prior to application of traumatic occlusal forces, (b) following application of traumatic occlusal forces, and (c) following occlusal adjustment. From Lindhe et al. (2008).

Figure 15.4 Tooth with periodontal disease: (a) prior to application of traumatic occlusal forces, (b) following application of traumatic occlusal forces, and (c) following occlusal adjustment. From Lindhe et al. (2008).

The periodontium attaches the tooth to the alveolar bone and dissipates the forces of occlusion to the surrounding tissues. If the occlusal load is abnormally high or the periodontium is reduced in height due to periodontal disease, tissue changes may be seen (Fig. 15.1) (Lindhe et al. 2008).

Tissue changes in response to occlusal load

Experiments in beagle dogs designed to mimic prolonged traumatic occlusion by applying alternate mesial and distal ‘jiggling-type’ trauma to a tooth (Lindhe & Ericsson, 1982) have shown the following:

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