What phase of therapy includes occlusal adjustments as part of treatment?

The phase of therapy that includes occlusal adjustments as part of the treatment is Phase I therapy. This phase, often referred to as basic periodontal therapy, primarily focuses on the initial management of periodontal disease and includes both non-surgical interventions and techniques aimed at controlling bacterial infections.

Occlusal adjustments in Phase I therapy are crucial because they help in creating a balanced bite, minimizing trauma to the periodontal tissues, and promoting better healing outcomes. This phase is fundamentally about stabilizing the patient's periodontal condition, which can involve addressing contributing factors such as malocclusion.

In contrast, subsequent phases, such as Phase II therapy, typically involve more advanced procedures that may include surgical interventions or the placement of restorative materials, and they often do not focus on occlusal adjustments in the same context as Phase I. Thus, recognizing the role of occlusal adjustments is essential for effective initial periodontal therapy.