Supportive periodontal care for the Hong Kong population

Abstract

Supportive periodontal care is an integral and essential element of therapeutic care for patients who have received treatment for periodontitis. The emphasis of supportive periodontal care is on the prevention of periodontal disease recurrence. Dentists, using a team approach, should aim to keep the treated dentition healthy and with proper function. The success of the supportive periodontal care treatment regimen depends to a large extent on the compliance of patients with the regimen recommended, as well as each individual’s risk of periodontal deterioration. This article summarizes the key concepts of supportive periodontal care and discusses the application of this treatment regimen, and by extension the maintenance of dental implants, in the Hong Kong population. Practical issues and future directions are also discussed.