Does Periodontal Treatment Improve General Health?

UNLABELLED: The association between periodontal disease and various systemic conditions raises the question of the impact of periodontal therapy on general health. There is increasing evidence that periodontal intervention can reduce the prevalence of an adverse pregnancy outcome, improve glycaemic control in diabetics, reduce systemic markers of inflammation, lower cholesterol levels and improve vascular endothelial function. The magnitude of the impact of periodontal therapy on these modalities needs further quantification/study. Despite such reservations, there are indications that any form of periodontal treatment may have outcomes that extend beyond improving life expectancy of the dentition. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: This article reviews the possible impact of periodontal therapy on a variety of systemic conditions and evaluates potential benefits.