Rehabilitative Management Offered Nigerian Localized and Generalized Aggressive Periodontitis Patients

Abstract

This paper highlights the typical clinical features of aggressive periodontitis (formerly known as juvenile periodontitis in the South Western region of Nigeria), the attending psychological effect following tooth loss, and the rehabilitative management offered which included periodontal therapy, psychotherapy, and prosthetic replacement of the missing teeth. The psychotherapy is the main distinguishing treatment in this study from previously reported modes of management of this disease entity.Subjects were from a part of the South Western region of Nigeria, and ages ranged from 15 to 22 years. They all presented very late with subsequent gross periodontal breakdown and subsequent psychological depression. The mean values of the probing depth (mm), degree of mobility, and the amount of bone fill (mm) from the periapical radiographs were recorded pre and post-operatively. The missing teeth were replaced with acrylic dentures, and psychotherapy was offered at three levels (individual, group, and conjoint-family psychotherapy).There was significant improvement of these clinical parameters six months after treatment, and the partial denture replacement of the missing teeth improved their appearance as expected but did not totally improve the initial depressive state. The psychotherapy offered gave the patients positive psychological effects that further restored their ability to socialize in their environment, which added to their positive experience of life. Abstract © Seer Publishing

Nigerian dentists′ knowledge of aggressive periodontitis

“…[8] The problem, however, is that some of the nine patients seen in one of the study centers reported previous dental visits where extractions had been performed without proper management of AgP.…”

Role of psychotherapy in managing a case of generalised aggressive periodontitis

“…Psychotherapy has a very positive effect on the attitude and behaviour of the patient and should be continued depending on the psychological status of the patient. A recent study reported that psychotherapy offered to a generalised aggressive periodontitis patient had a positive psychological effect that restored their ability to socialise in their environment, contributing to their positive experiences in life, which enhanced the role of special psychological care in a multidisciplinary approach in the treatment of a case of generalised aggressive periodontitis 4 5Learning points

Generalised aggressive periodontitis causes rapid destruction of the tooth supporting structures leading to substantial loss of alveolar bone and teeth.

Early diagnosis plays an important role in saving a substantial amount of alveolar bone and teeth.

The treatment plan for generalised aggressive periodontitis should also include a psychological approach.

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A short report on tooth replacement in an older suburban population in Nigeria

“…Globally there is a paradigm shift in the population, as the proportion of older people is growing further than that of any other group . The older people, therefore, are at a greater risk of oral diseases such as periodontal diseases and tooth loss, which are of high prevalence among them in Nigeria . In the recent past, studies had also shown that elderly population were retaining their teeth more than before .…”

“…The older people, therefore, are at a greater risk of oral diseases such as periodontal diseases and tooth loss, which are of high prevalence among them in Nigeria . In the recent past, studies had also shown that elderly population were retaining their teeth more than before . Tooth loss without replacement can lead to adverse effects in the remaining dentition as well as negative impact on the quality of life of elderly individuals .…”