Periodontal therapy is pivotal in managing periodontal diseases, which affect the supporting structures of teeth and can lead to tooth loss if untreated. However, not all treatments are equally necessary or evidence-based. This lecture explores the distinction between essential and unnecessary interventions in periodontal therapy, emphasizing patient-specific considerations, evidence-based practices, and ethical implications. Essential therapies include scaling and root planing, antimicrobial treatments, and surgical interventions tailored to disease severity. Conversely, unnecessary treatments may arise from overtreatment, outdated practices, or procedures with minimal clinical benefit. By critically assessing current practices, this lecture aims to provide guidelines for efficient, effective, and ethical periodontal care, reducing the burden of overmedicalization while ensuring optimal patient outcomes.
