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Reader task: Understand the authority, governance, clinical standards, and diagnostic classifications of the American Academy of Periodontology (AAP), and navigate its clinical guidelines and translational research frameworks.
Short answer
The American Academy of Periodontology (AAP) is a professional organization of approximately 7,500 periodontists dedicated to the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of periodontal diseases and the placement of dental implants. Founded in 1914, the AAP establishes diagnostic classification standards, publishes the Journal of Periodontology, and advances evidence-based clinical protocols and periodontal research across academic institutions and clinical practices.
Definition and scope
As confirmed by official records on 2026-11-08, the American Academy of Periodontology (AAP) is the primary professional society for dental specialists in periodontics in the United States. Headquartered at 737 N. Michigan Avenue, Suite 800, Chicago, Illinois, the AAP represents roughly 7,500 member periodontists, educators, postdoctoral residents, and dental researchers.
The AAP was established in 1914 by pioneering dentists Dr. Gillette Hayden and Dr. Grace Rogers Spalding as the American Academy of Oral Prophylaxis and Periodontology. Founded with 18 charter members in Washington, D.C., the society adopted its current name in 1919.
The American Dental Association (ADA) officially recognizes periodontics as a dental specialty. Periodontists specialize in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases affecting the supporting structures of the teeth (gingiva, periodontal ligament, cementum, and alveolar bone) and the surgical placement of dental implants. Entering the specialty requires three consecutive academic years and at least 30 months of post-doctoral training under Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) Standard 4-1, integrating clinical care with broader dental and oral health research.
How it works or how it is used in practice
The AAP establishes clinical guidelines and diagnostic taxonomies used across academic dentistry and clinical trials. Its benchmark framework is the 2017 Classification of Periodontal and Peri-Implant Diseases and Conditions, developed with the European Federation of Periodontology (EFP) and published in the June 2018 Journal of Periodontology (Caton et al., 2018; Tonetti et al., 2018).
Replacing the 1999 system, the consensus applies a matrix combining Staging and Grading:
Staging of Periodontitis
- Stage I (Initial): Clinical attachment loss (CAL) 1–2 mm; radiographic bone loss (RBL) <15%; probing depths ≤4 mm; no tooth loss from periodontitis.
- Stage II (Moderate): CAL 3–4 mm; RBL 15%–33%; probing depths ≤5 mm; no tooth loss from periodontitis.
- Stage III (Severe): CAL ≥5 mm; RBL to mid-root and beyond; tooth loss ≤4 teeth; probing depths ≥6 mm; vertical bone loss ≥3 mm; Class II/III furcation.
- Stage IV (Advanced): CAL ≥5 mm; RBL to mid-root or apical third; tooth loss ≥5 teeth; complex rehabilitation required due to bite collapse or <20 residual teeth.
Grading of Periodontitis
- Grade A (Slow): No bone loss over 5 years; bone loss to age ratio <0.25; non-smoker; normoglycemic.
- Grade B (Moderate): Bone loss <2 mm over 5 years; ratio 0.25 to 1.0; smokes <10 cigarettes/day; diabetic with HbA1c <7.0%.
- Grade C (Rapid): Bone loss ≥2 mm over 5 years; ratio >1.0; smokes ≥10 cigarettes/day; diabetic with HbA1c ≥7.0%.
Peri-Implant Conditions
- Peri-implant health: Visual absence of erythema, bleeding on probing (BOP), and swelling.
- Peri-implant mucositis: Plaque-induced mucosal inflammation with BOP, without progressive bone loss.
- Peri-implantitis: Plaque-associated inflammation with progressive supporting bone loss.
- Soft and hard tissue deficiencies: Volume loss of the ridge from extraction, trauma, or infection.
Types or related concepts
Understanding the AAP requires distinguishing its role from allied professional, certifying, and accrediting bodies operating in oral health. The table below outlines these complementary entities, their core responsibilities, and their governance mechanisms as confirmed in primary organizational documents on 2026-11-08.
| Organization | Primary Role | Governance & Authority | Key Frameworks | Operational Scope |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| American Academy of Periodontology (AAP) | Specialty membership society; sets clinical guidelines. | Board of Trustees; ~7,500 members. | J Periodontol; 2017 Classification. | Guidelines, continuing education, research advocacy. |
| American Board of Periodontology (ABP) | Certifying specialty board; awards Diplomate status. | Independent board; founded 1939 by AAP; recognized 1949 by ADA. | Qualifying and Oral Examinations. | Postdoctoral credentialing; board certification. |
| European Federation of Periodontology (EFP) | Federation of national European periodontal societies. | Confederation of national societies across Europe. | J Clin Periodontol; joint 2017 Classification. | Clinical consensus, treatment guidelines, EuroPerio. |
| IADR Periodontal Research Group | Scientific research division within dental federation. | Scientific interest group of IADR. | J Dent Res; annual research symposia. | Periodontal microbiology, immunology, biomaterials. |
| Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) | Independent programmatic accrediting agency. | Accrediting body recognized by USDE. | CODA Standard 4-1 (Periodontics). | Accreditation of 36-month residency programs. |
Where it matters for labs, clinics or supply decisions
AAP standards have direct operational consequences for dental clinics, biomaterial research laboratories, and procurement teams:
- Standardized Diagnostic Protocols: Dental clinics integrate AAP staging and grading parameters into electronic health records and periodontal charting. Clinic teams adhere to defined standard operating procedures (SOPs) measuring probing depth, clinical attachment level, bleeding on probing, and radiographic bone loss.
- Clinical Trial Design and Endpoints: Periodontal research laboratories structure clinical trial protocols around AAP disease definitions. Efficacy in regenerative trials is evaluated against standard endpoints, including CAL gain, pocket depth reduction, and radiographic bone fill.
- Periodontal Armamentarium Selection: Nonsurgical periodontal therapy protocols determine the selection of specialized instruments. Clinics select tactile instruments such as universal and area-specific Gracey periodontal curettes for subgingival debridement, alongside rigid periodontal files for fracturing tenacious calculus.
- Implant and Regenerative Supply Decisions: Because periodontists routinely perform surgical site development and implant placement, AAP consensus guidelines dictate procurement of surgical hardware. This includes precision dental implant drills, osteotomy kits, bone graft substitutes, and barrier membranes for guided tissue regeneration.
Common misunderstandings
Several common misconceptions exist regarding the AAP and its diagnostic frameworks:
- Confusing the AAP with the American Board of Periodontology (ABP): The AAP is a voluntary professional membership organization providing education and advocacy. The ABP is an independent certifying board that evaluates residency graduates to confer Diplomate status. AAP membership does not equate to board certification.
- Believing Periodontitis Is Staged Solely by Pocket Depth: Probing depth alone does not determine the stage of periodontitis. Under the 2017 classification, staging is driven by interdental clinical attachment loss and radiographic bone loss; probing depth indicates management complexity.
- Assuming Peri-Implantitis Follows the Identical Biology of Periodontitis: Although both are plaque-associated inflammatory conditions, dental implants lack a periodontal ligament and cementum. Consequently, peri-implant lesions show distinct progression kinetics, prompting dedicated peri-implant definitions.
- Relying on Outdated 1999 Classification Terms: Terms such as "chronic" and "aggressive" periodontitis were retired in 2017. Current clinical standards classify all periodontitis within a unified Staging and Grading framework.
Frequently asked questions
What is the American Academy of Periodontology?
The American Academy of Periodontology (AAP) is the professional membership association representing approximately 7,500 periodontists—specialists in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of gum disease, oral inflammation, and dental implant placement. Founded in 1914, it is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois.
What is the 2017 AAP/EFP periodontal classification?
The 2017 classification is an international consensus framework developed jointly by the AAP and EFP. Published in 2018, it replaced older categories with a multi-dimensional system that classifies periodontitis by Stages (I through IV) and Grades (A through C), and established the first formal classification for peri-implant diseases.
What is the difference between an AAP member and an ABP Diplomate?
An AAP member belongs to the Academy for professional education and resources. An American Board of Periodontology (ABP) Diplomate is a periodontist who has completed an accredited three-year post-doctoral residency and passed comprehensive examinations to achieve official board certification.
Sources
- American Academy of Periodontology (AAP), "About the AAP" — https://www.perio.org/about-aap/ (read 2026-11-08)
- American Academy of Periodontology (AAP), "2017 Classification of Periodontal and Peri-implant Diseases and Conditions" — https://www.perio.org/research-science/2017-classification-of-periodontal-and-peri-implant-diseases-and-conditions/ (read 2026-11-08)
- Tonetti MS, Greenwell H, Kornman KS. "Staging and grading of periodontitis: Framework and proposal of a new classification and case definition." Journal of Periodontology 2018; 89(Suppl 1): S159–S172. doi:10.1002/JPER.18-0006 (read 2026-11-08)
- Caton JG, et al. "A new classification scheme for periodontal and peri-implant diseases and conditions." Journal of Periodontology 2018; 89(Suppl 1): S1–S8. doi:10.1002/JPER.18-0157 (read 2026-11-08)
- American Board of Periodontology (ABP), "About ABP" — https://www.abperio.org (read 2026-11-08)
- Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA), "Accreditation Standards for Advanced Specialty Education Programs in Periodontics", Standard 4-1 — https://www.ada.org (read 2026-11-08)
