Treatment of Juvenile Periodontitis Patients by Control of Infection and Inflammation: Four Case Reports

Four patients, ages 14-17, who demonstrated characteristics of juvenile periodontitis, underwent antibiotic and surgical therapy to control microbial etiologic factors. No occlusal equilibration or bone grafting techniques were employed. Subsequent to treatment, all four patients demonstrated decreased pocket depths and mobility on teeth associated with vertical osseous defects. Osseous repair was evident on postoperative radiographs. Reentry procedures, on one patient, confirmed that osseous repair had occurred in 2- to 3-wall, 3-wall, hemi-circumferential and furcal defects. If infection and inflammation are controlled, it appears that the potential for osseous repair in juvenile periodontitis patients is greater than has been thought.