Prognosis--the dilemma of modern periodontics

As periodontics has progressed towards an understanding of the influences of risk factors such as genetics, smoking and stress in the occurrence and severity of periodontal disease, the question of prognosis, so essential to treatment planning, has become even more perplexing to the clinician. A survey of long term clinical practice gives insight into the outcome of therapy relative to initial severity, and modern concepts of bacteria versus host relationships provide directions for greater predictability. However, it is only with observation over time that a more accurate assessment of prognosis can be made, as response to initial therapeutic measures can be determined.