Which statement best describes planning for a patient with periodontal disease and aesthetic concerns?

• A. Include planning for implants or fixed prosthesis and aesthetic tissue management
• B. Focus only on infection control
• C. Only extract teeth
• D. Whitening only

Answer: (A)

When planning for a patient with periodontal disease and aesthetic concerns, the approach must blend disease control with restorative and soft-tissue strategies to achieve both health and appearance. The best plan involves considering implants or fixed prostheses as possible replacements and actively shaping the gingival tissues to create harmonious contours and emergence profiles. This recognizes that periodontal disease can progress to tooth loss, and preserving or replacing teeth should be anticipated in the treatment plan while also optimizing the soft-tissue architecture for a natural, pleasing smile.

Narrowing the focus to infection control alone misses the long-term goals of function and aesthetics. Extracting teeth without planning replacements overlooks both the patient’s functional needs and their appearance, and whitening alone does not address periodontal health or tissue contours.