Digital Dentistry Applications in Periodontics

Developing technology has established a ground for digitalization in dentistry, as in every field. Periodontology, which concerns the soft and hard tissues around the teeth, is also keeping up with these new developments. Periodontal diseases have been among the most common chronic inflammations affecting approximately 50% of the world’s population and have become a global problem (Kononen et al J Clin Med 8(8):1135, 2019). Since early alterations in alveolar bone and soft tissue are not precisely evident on conventional radiographs, technological advances in periodontology are highly needed. Identifying and managing these diseases or changes is taking an increasingly significant role in periodontology. Factors such as regular and accurate recording of periodontal indices, increasing the precision in diagnosis and treatment of periodontal/peri-implanter diseases, widespread use of three-dimensional radiological examinations, guided implant surgery, guided periodontal surgery, and digitalization in smile design have necessitated the digital age in periodontology. In addition to these, early diagnosis of periodontal and peri-implant diseases, and scanning mucogingival deformities with intraoral cameras provide more predictable treatment results. Due to the differences in treatment approaches in periodontology, the first step is always diagnosis. The main reason for this is that the treatment procedure applied for loss of the periodontium due to periodontal infections is very different from the ones due to etiological reasons such as brush abrasion or frenal attachments. Although it has more use in other areas of dentistry, especially in prosthetic applications or radiological imaging, digitalization has also increased in periodontology. This chapter aims to summarize the applications of digital dentistry in periodontology.