Classification of Periodontal Diseases: Revised for 2018

A new classification of periodontal diseases and conditions was recently published. It was developed in the World Workshop on the Classification of Periodontal and Peri-Implant Diseases and Conditions, co-sponsored by the American Academy of Periodontology (AAP) and European Federation of Periodontology (EFP).

The workshop included experts from all over the world, with a clear objective to align and update the 19 year old classification of periodontal diseases and conditions, in line with the recent scientific evidences and current understanding of periodontal diseases.

A separate category of Periodontal and Gingival health was introduced to denote completely healthy tissues. Bleeding on probing is considered as the primary parameter for gingivitis.

The classification of Periodontitis was upgraded. Terms used previously, like Chronic and Aggressive Periodontitis have now been dropped. Three forms of periodontitis were identified as, Necrotizing periodontitis, Periodontitis and periodontitis as a manifestation of systemic diseases. A further classification of periodontitis, based on a Staging and Grading system was also introduced.

Gingival biotype will now be referred to as gingival phenotype.  Biologic width was replaced by supra-crestal attached tissues. The condition of peri-implant tissues was also reclassified.

Dental Practitioners and students are asked to update their dental vocabulary with the latest changes.

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(Reference (first published on 20^th june 2018) :
Caton J, Armitage G, Berglundh T, et al. A new classification scheme for periodontal and peri‐implant diseases and conditions – Introduction and key changes from the 1999 classification. J Clin Periodontol. 2018;45(Suppl 20):S1–S8. https://doi.org/10.1111/jcpe.12935)