Periodontal disease (PD) in dogs is staged 0–4 per tooth, based on the degree of attachment loss measured by periodontal probing and intraoral radiography under general anesthesia. A complete and accurate diagnosis cannot be made on the awake patient — anesthesia is required for periodontal probing and intraoral radiography to determine the true extent of pathology.AAHA Clinical G…+1
Staging is defined by attachment loss at each individual tooth, and a single patient may have teeth at different stages simultaneously.WSAVA Global Gu… Stage 0 (PD0) is clinically normal with no gingival inflammation and no attachment loss.WSAVA Global Gu… Stage 1 (PD1) is gingivitis only, with no attachment loss and normal alveolar bone height and architecture.WSAVA Global Gu… Stage 2 (PD2) is early periodontitis with less than 25% attachment loss, or at most furcation involvement grade 1 in multi-rooted teeth, with early radiographic signs of bone loss.WSAVA Global Gu… Stage 3 (PD3) is moderate periodontitis with 25–50% attachment loss, or furcation involvement grade 2 in multi-rooted teeth.WSAVA Global Gu… Stage 4 (PD4) is advanced periodontitis with greater than 50% attachment loss, or furcation involvement grade 3 in multi-rooted teeth.WSAVA Global Gu…
Treatment at each stage is directly tied to the degree of attachment loss. PD1 is managed with dental scaling, polishing, irrigation, and initiation of home dental care.AAHA Clinical G… PD2 requires all PD1 care plus locally applied antimicrobials and/or subgingival scaling when pocketing is present.AAHA Clinical G… PD3 is treated with closed or open root planing, with or without locally applied antimicrobials, or advanced periodontal treatment such as guided tissue regeneration — but periodontal surgery at this stage is only successful when the client commits to consistent daily home oral hygiene; extraction is indicated if that commitment cannot be made.AAHA Clinical G… PD4 requires either extraction or periodontal surgery including osseous resective or additive procedures followed by consistently performed home care, and prognosis at this stage is guarded.AAHA Clinical G…
Activated platelet-rich plasma (A-PRP) injected submucosally following dental scaling is an adjunctive option for PD2–PD3 teeth. Submucosal injection of 0.1 mL A-PRP per site, administered after scaling, produces significant improvement in periodontal pocket depth, PD stage, gingival index, and horizontal bone loss at 56 days compared to scaling alone.Journal of Vete…
Breeds predisposed to dental disease — including small breeds, brachycephalics, and dogs with malocclusions — warrant earlier intervention and increased frequency of dental procedures. Plaque accumulation at even PD1 correlates positively with gingival inflammation, gingival recession, periodontal pocket depth, and elevated serum alanine aminotransferase activity, underscoring the systemic relevance of early-stage disease.The Veterinary…+1
| Stage | Attachment Loss / Furcation | Treatment |
|---|---|---|
| PD0 | None — clinically normal | Preventive home care |
| PD1 | None — gingivitis only | Scaling, polishing, irrigation, home care |
| PD2 | <25% / furcation grade 1 | PD1 care + subgingival scaling ± locally applied antimicrobials |
| PD3 | 25–50% / furcation grade 2 | Closed or open root planing ± antimicrobials ± guided tissue regeneration; extraction if home care not feasible |
| PD4 | >50% / furcation grade 3 | Extraction or osseous surgery + home care; guarded prognosis |
Would you like guidance on locally applied antimicrobial options and protocols for PD2–PD3 teeth?