When periodontitis is recognized, nonsurgical periodontal therapy (NSPT) is initiated for all of the following purposes except:

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NSPT is not always successful at achieving the goals of therapy. Therefore NSPT does not necessarily eliminate the need for periodontal surgery. A patient might have chronic moderate to severe periodontitis, aggressive disease, localized predisposing factors, or systemic disease that requires reevaluation of the need for surgery to halt periodontal attachment loss or regenerate structures destroyed by disease. Striving to modify host risk factors is essential for successful NSPT. This occurs through client education, professional care, counseling, and a client's change in behavior. Some risk factors, however, are not always modifiable, especially genetic ones. Establishing an environment to help resolve inflammation is a goal of NSPT through oral biofilm removal and control, as well as debridement (scaling and root planing) and chemical agents. Host modulation might be a consideration. Eliminating or controlling the infection to prevent reinfection is a goal of NSPT. Striving to have the client modify environmental factors is again important for successful NSPT. Factors such as smoking are critical to discuss in educating the client and require a behavior change on the part of the client through cessation programs, counseling or otherwise.

When Periodontitis Is Recognized, Nonsurgical Periodontal Therapy (NSPT) Is Initiated