Minimally invasive periodontal therapy

Historically, surgical techniques were governed by specific incisions and surgical designs. With the advent of anesthesia, the complicated cases were managed but at the cost of the tissues leading to morbidities of various degrees. The innovations and the advances in the surgical techniques led to the ideology that surgeries could be done with minimal tissue manipulation and sacrifice. Thus the concept of "minimally invasive dentistry" was introduced with the primary goal to achieve satisfactory therapeutic results with minimal trauma during the process. In context to the management of periodontitis, this modality includes use of conservative incisions which preserves as much soft tissue as possible, avoiding continuous incisions and vertical incisions, use of magnification etc. The ultimate goal of any treatment modality is the resolution of the disease and regeneration if possible with minimal postoperative pain and morbidity. Minimal invasive periodontal therapy involves treatment options which cure the disease with reduced postoperative pain, improved healing and better patient acceptance. This paper covers the advent of minimal invasive periodontal therapy modalities both surgical and non-surgical along with the literature review.