What adjustment is made in Phase I to manage occlusal trauma?

In the context of managing occlusal trauma within Phase I of periodontal treatment, occlusal management stands out as the primary adjustment. This phase focuses on addressing immediate issues that can lead to further periodontal breakdown or tooth mobility.

Occlusal trauma refers to the stress placed on the teeth and supporting structures due to maladaptive occlusion, which can result from issues like heavy bite forces or misaligned teeth. The aim of occlusal management is to alleviate these stresses. This may involve adjustments to the bite, such as selective grinding of the occlusal surfaces to redistribute occlusal forces or the use of a night guard to mitigate bruxism-related trauma.

Restorative therapy, while also potentially beneficial, is typically employed at a later stage once the active periodontal disease is controlled. Crown lengthening is a surgical procedure aimed at enhancing the clinical crown height for aesthetic or restorative purposes, and scaling and root planing are focused on debridement of plaque and calculus as part of controlling periodontal disease, rather than directly addressing occlusal trauma.

Thus, occlusal management is essential in Phase I as it directly targets the occlusal discrepancies contributing to trauma, promoting a stable environment for periodontal healing.