Step 2 for the treatment of periodontal diseases: adjunctive therapies

Step 2 of periodontal therapy primarily aims at the non-surgical, mechanical disruption of the subgingival biofilm and removal of plaque-retentive factors, allowing a shift from disease to health. Numerous therapeutic agents have been proposed as adjuncts to non-surgical periodontal therapy, generally through either aiding disruption of the dental plaque biofilm, or though alteration of the host immune response. This article reviews the British Society of Periodontology's implementation of the S3-level guidelines in relation to adjunctive therapies. CPD/Clinical Relevance: Recommendation to use adjunctive therapies in the treatment of periodontitis requires careful consideration of the available evidence as well as the wider effects of the proposed therapy.