Book excerpt: This clinically oriented text provides the essential information needed to understand periodontal diseases and deliver effective treatment. Written in user-friendly style, it explains the biology of the periodontium in health and disease, gives detailed instructions on patient examination, and discusses various local and systemic risk factors. Actual case scenarios illustrate how to interpret clinical evidence, make a diagnosis and develop a treatment plan for the most common forms of disease. Also covered are implant therapy and adjunct treatment procedures that may be needed to enhance periodontal health.