More than 7,000 oral healthcare professionals from 100 countries travelled to Copenhagen to attend EuroPerio10.

The four day event, organised by the European Federation of Periodontology (EFP), brought the global periodontology community together for the first time since the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Chair of the gathering, Professor Phoebus Madianos, described it as “the Olympic Games of dental congresses”. He added: “EuroPerio10 attracts the best speakers, scientists and clinicians from around the world.

“This is the main event organised by the EFP and the growing success of EuroPerio is mainly due to the scientific programme, which delivers the present and future in the science and practice of periodontology and implant dentistry.”

Original research was presented in more than 900 scientific abstracts, with 41 scientific sessions on emerging issues of interest for practitioners, scientists and academics.

There were more than 130 top speakers from over 30 countries, and in excess of 110 companies attended the industry exhibition.

Research topics included the role of artificial intelligence in the diagnosis and treatment of periodontitis. New evidence was also presented on the links between gum disease and heart conditions, diabetes, premature birth and lung function and the long-term outcome of periodontal treatment.

There were more than 130 top speakers from over 30 countries, and in excess of 110 companies attended the industry exhibition.

In addition, the groundbreaking first European guideline on how to treat advanced (stage IV) periodontitis was announced on the first day of the congress and explained in detail for the first time.

“Periodontitis has a huge impact on people’s lives, with bleeding gums, loose teeth, halitosis and substantial or even complete tooth loss if left untreated,” said Professor David Herrera, EuroPerio10 Scientific Chair and lead author of the main paper on the new guideline.

“Those affected can experience difficulty eating and speaking clearly, and some feel ashamed, frustrated and vulnerable. However, as new evidence shows, most advanced disease can be successfully treated and teeth maintained in the long-term.”

Approximately 1.1 billion people worldwide had severe (stages III and IV) periodontitis in 2019, making it the most common chronic inflammatory non-communicable disease.

A chronic form of gum disease, it is caused by bacteria that accumulate on the teeth. Inflammation starts in the gums then progressively destroys the ligament and bone supporting the teeth, causing them to loosen and fall out. The guideline focuses on the most advanced stage of the disease.

Clinical assessment of advanced periodontitis includes five components:

1. Evaluate the extent of the breakdown of structures supporting the teeth, aesthetics and the ability to chew and speak.
2. Establish the number of teeth already lost due to periodontitis.
3. Determine which remaining teeth can be saved.
4. Assess all factors in the mouth which could hinder or enable retention of teeth or placing implants, such as spaces without teeth and the availability of bone.
5. Ascertain the patient’s overall prognosis, including the probability of disease progression or recurrence and risk factors such as smoking and diabetes.

Treatment aims to control inflammation and prevent further damage of the supporting tissues
of the teeth as well as restoring tooth function.

Therapy begins with the recommendations for stages I to III periodontitis, which include good oral hygiene, not smoking, controlling diabetes and professional cleaning of the teeth above and below the gum line to remove bacteria.

Additional treatments for stage IV disease can involve orthodontic therapy to straighten or move teeth and construction of prostheses to replace missing teeth, either supported by teeth or by dental implants.

Prof Herrera added: “Extracting teeth to place dental implants is not a reasonable option if teeth can be retained. Behavioural change is one of the pillars of therapy and the patient’s motivation and compliance are extremely important for success.

Extracting teeth to place dental implants is not a reasonable option if teeth can be retained.

“This includes toothbrushing, cleaning between the teeth, sometimes using a mouth rinse to reduce inflammation, not smoking, and controlling blood sugar for those with diabetes.”

He continued: “The benefits of periodontal therapy extend beyond the mouth to improved nutrition, quality of life and systemic health, such as better control of blood sugar in patients with diabetes due to the two-way relationship between diabetes and periodontitis.”

The EFP President, Professor Andreas Stavropoulos, said that the new guideline for stage IV periodontitis meant that for the first time in history there were now European recommendations for the interdisciplinary and evidence-based management of all stages of this disease.

“Application of the guideline is expected to improve the quality of periodontal treatment in Europe and worldwide. The EFP will be working with its 37 member national periodontology societies to translate and adapt it to the local context.”

The EFP is a non-profit organisation dedicated to promoting awareness of periodontal science and the importance of gum health.

www.efp.org