Trauma and the Periodontal Tissues: A Narrative Review

Abstract

The health of the periodontium including the soft tissues – gingiva and periodontal ligament; and the hard tissues – cementum and alveolar bone is of key importance in the overall homeostasis of the dentition. Injury to the periodontal tissues in any form such as microbial, physical, thermal, chemical, mechanical, occlusal and habitual injury affects the harmony of the periodontal attachment apparatus thereby altering the entire functioning of the dentition. The type of tissue damage when trauma is unintentional and iatrogenic tends to be acute and self-limiting. On the other hand, mechanical and occlusal forces could result in chronic damage. This book chapter provides a review on the various forms of non-microbial trauma to the periodontal tissues, their clinical manifestations and its management.