Iatrogenic Factors Affecting the Periodontium: An Overview

INTRODUCTION

“An Ounce of Prevention worth a Pound of Cure”

"Iatrogenic" Comes from the Greek Language. "Iatros" Means Doctor or Healer. "Gennan" Means "as a Result".

Iatrogenesis or iatrogenic effect, (“originating from a physician”) is avoidable harm ensuing from medical treatment or advice to patients. Physicians, pharmacists, nurses, dentists, psychiatrists, psychologists, and therapists are the professionals who may sometimes cause harm to the patients. Iatrogenesis can also result from corresponding and alternative medicine treatments.

Iatrogenesis is a very common, often preventable, hazard of treatment and is related with considerably increased patient mortality and cost [1].

Since the time of Hippocrates people have accepted the possible damaging effects of a healer's actions.

A tradition of conservatism in medical practice has understandably grown up in the centuries since Hippocrates admonished his disciples, "Primum non nocere" (first, do no harm). Man also has long been aware of the hazards of the doctor-patient relationship, as well as the benefits. Napoleon, when advised to consult his physician, allegedly declaimed, "I do not want two diseases - one nature-made, one doctor-made", and marched off instead to Russia [2].

The amount of preventable adverse events remains startlingly high because very less improvement of iatrogenic complications has been made in spite of early recognition of the problem and better care and prophylaxis.

One should not, however, assume that iatrogenic disorders always stem from malpractice, or poor practice. In many instances they are unavoidable consequences of treatment; in other instances, they are unforeseen, or unforeseeable, consequences of treatment.

DEFINITION

Iatrogenic injury is a comprehensive term that may be defined as 'harm, hurt, damage or impairment that results from the activities of a doctor' [3]. Iatrogenic injury produced by either an inadvertent or erroneous treatment, or may be a result of either act of commission or act of omission by the therapist [4]. Dental iatrogenic treatment can produce injury either on the tooth or the Periodontium or both.

Iatrogenic trauma can be defined as any trauma that has been induced by the dentist’s activity, manner, or therapy, and this term is generally used for an infection or other complications of treatment. During dental and periodontal treatments, various instruments (i.e., rotary or vibratinghand pieces, electrosurgical units, and lasers), chemical substances (i.e., drugs, endodontic materials and retraction agents), and physical appliances (partial dentures and orthodontic appliances) come in contact with the oral cavity, and inappropriate use or application of these may result in traumatic gingival lesions [5]. The etiology of periodontal disease can be iatrogenic in nature. Diagnostic procedures, Restorations, Endodontic therapy, Fixed and removable prosthesis, Orthodontic therapy and Oral and maxillofacial surgical procedures have the potential to become iatrogenic to periodontal structures if not carried out properly. An improperly prepared tooth may have an adverse effect on long-term dental health. For example, insufficient axial reduction inevitably results in an over contoured restoration that hampers plaque control. This may cause periodontal disease [6].

The foundation for proper esthetics, function, and comfort to the dentition is provided by the periodontal tissues. All prosthetic and restorative therapies largely need a healthy periodontium as a prerequisite for successful treatment. The relationship and interaction between periodontics and restorative dentistry is present at many fronts, including location of restorative margins, crown contours, and response of the gingival tissues to restorative preparations. Therelationship of iatrogenic factors with periodontal breakdown was originally recognized in 1912 by BlackA [7].

The association between dental restorations and periodontal health and has been carefully investigated for many years. Studies have concentrated their attention on various aspects of the periodontal– restorative interaction, such as position of the restoration with respect to the gingival margin, presence of overhangs, presence of marginal leakage, roughness of the surfaces, and the type of restorative material [8].

Prior to any dental procedure, with the exception of treatment of acute carious lesions that involve or threaten the health of the pulp, existing pathologic condition must be recognized and treated to set up a healthy environment. Restoring the periodontium to health is the basic necessity prior to other dental therapy. This includes the removal of gingival irritants, correction of functional andocclusal interferences, treatment of morphologic and pathologic gingival conditions, and corrections of bony deformities of the supporting periodontium.

CONCLUSION

The expertise, familiarity, and up-to-date knowledge of dentist are the foremostreasons to avert possible iatrogenic traumas. Although “To err is human,” careful practice is very important for the principle “Primum non nocere” (“First do no harm”).

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