Periodontal herpesvirus morbidity and treatment

Four billion individuals worldwide have a history of periodontitis, with the poorest people in society most affected. Periodontitis can lead to unsightly drifting of teeth and tooth loss that may interfere with the wellbeing of daily living and has also been linked to at least 57 medical diseases and disabilities. The etiology of severe periodontitis includes active herpesviruses, specific bacterial pathogens, and destructive immune responses, but herpesviruses seem to be the major pathogenic determinant. Periodontal herpesviruses that disseminate via the systemic circulation to nonoral sites may represent a major link between periodontitis and systemic diseases. Current treatment of periodontitis focuses almost exclusively on bacterial biofilm and will require revision. Periodontal therapy that targets both herpesviruses and bacterial pathogens can provide long‐term clinical improvement and potentially reduces the risk of systemic diseases. Molecular diagnostic tests for periodontal pathogens may enable early microbial identification and preemptive therapy. This review details an efficient and reliable anti‐infective treatment of severe periodontitis that can be carried out in minimal time with minimal cost.