An analysis of general periodontal treatment carried out in the Departement of Cardiology, Periodontology and Preventive Dental Medicine of the University of Zurich, Dental Institute was undertaken with the aid of 50 randomly selected patient case histories. Immediately following therapy, it was found that a normal marginal periodontium had been established in all cases. A prerequisite for this success was effective patient oral hygiene. The duration of total treatment depended upon diagnosis and treatment plan and ranged from 18 to 62 h. Documentation of each phase of treatment was responsible for a significant part of the total therapy time. In view of the relatively large amount of time necessary to treat periodontal disease, future emphasis should be placed upon the refinement and propagation of preventive measures.