Periodontal disease classification: controversies, limitations and the road ahead--a proposed new classification.

History teaches us that a great deal of effort is put forward in giving birth to a classification system, only to have it be quickly contradicted or condemned. Though we have made great strides towards the understanding of periodontitis in general, the bitter truth is that we have not hit the bull's eye on the true nature of etiopathogenesis. Until then any classification based on infectious etiology would be a misfit. Aclassification that is easy to understand and based on treatment needs would be more apt at this juncture. This article is aimed at discussing the present American Academy of Periodontology 1999 classification and to suggest a new and simplified classification.