|
|
|
|
front |1 |2 |3 |4 |5 |6 |7 |8 |9 |10 |11 |12 |13 |14 |15 |16 |17 |18 |19 |20 |21 |review |
 |
The nonspecific plaque hypothesis
proposes that in order to become healthy a patient must maintain perfect plaque
control and that any development of gum disease results from the failure to
remove plaque adequately.
Periodontal disease is well known to result in loss of attachment of gingival tissues to the teeth causing periodontal pockets around the teeth. Following the development of pockets if the disease is not treated successfully, the pockets will increase in depth and loss of supporting bone will result. The nonspecific plaque hypothesis proposes that the destruction of tissue is caused by failure to remove plaque in pockets so surgery is prescribed to cut away excess tissue and allow the patient ability to more adequately clean the area surrounding the teeth. This surgery is quite invasive and causes postsurgical pain, sensitive teeth and causes permanent loss of attachment with each gum surgery of 1-2 mm. 26,27 |