The effect of supragingival plaque control on the progression of advanced periodontal disease.

The aim of the present trial was to study the effect of meticulous supragingival plaque control on (i) the subgingival microbiota, and (ii) the rate of progression of attachment loss in subjects with advanced periodontal disease. An intra-individual group of sites exposed to non-surgical periodontal therapy served as controls. 12 patients with advanced periodontal disease were subjected to a baseline examination (BL) including assessments of oral hygiene status, gingival condition (BoP), probing depth, clinical attachment level and subgingival microbiota from pooled samples from each quadrant. The assessments were repeated after 12, 24 and 36 months. Following BL, a split mouth study was initiated. The patients received oral hygiene instruction, supragingival scaling and case presentation. 2 quadrants in each patient were identified as "test" and the remaining 2 as "control" quadrants. Subgingival therapy was performed in all bleeding sites in the control quadrants. Oral hygiene instructions and plaque control exercises were repeated once every 2 weeks during the initial 3 months of the study. Thereafter the plaque control program was repeated once every 3 months for the duration of the 3 years. Sites demonstrating loss of clinical attachment > or =2 mm in the test quadrants were treated subgingivally. The results showed that in both test and control quadrants repeated oral hygiene instructions and supragingival plaque removal procedures resulted in low plaque scores throughout the study. The gingival bleeding scores and the frequency of periodontal pockets > or =4 mm was, however, significantly higher in the test quadrants than in the control quadrants. At the end of the 3 year study, the control quadrants showed significantly more reduced (> or =2 mm) pockets than the test quadrants, 265 versus 96. The number of sites in the test quadrants showing probing attachment loss > or =2 mm was more than 4x greater than in the control quadrants (59 versus 13). The microbiological findings indicate a more pronounced reduction only for P. gingivalis in the control quadrants. None of the other 4 marker bacteria consistently reflected or predicted the clinical parameters. The present study shows that only supragingival plaque control fails to prevent further periodontal tissue destruction in subjects with advanced periodontal disease.

The use of metronidazole and amoxicillin in the treatment of advanced periodontal disease. A prospective, controlled clinical trial.

The present clinical trial was performed to study the effect of systemic administration of metronidazole and amoxicillin as an adjunct to mechanical therapy in patients with advanced periodontal disease. 16 individuals, 10 female and 6 male, aged 35-58 years, with advanced periodontal disease were recruited. A baseline examination included assessment of clinical, radiographical, microbiological and histopathological characteristics of periodontal disease. The 16 patients were randomly distributed into 2 different samples of 8 subjects each. One sample of subjects received during the first 2 weeks of active periodontal therapy, antibiotics administered via the systemic route (metronidazole and amoxicillin). During the corresponding period, the 2nd sample of subjects received a placebo drug (placebo sample). In each of the 16 patients, 2 quadrants (1 in the maxilla and 1 in the mandible) were exposed to non-surgical subgingival scaling and root planing. The contralateral quadrants were left without subgingival instrumentation. Thus, 4 different treatment groups were formed; group 1: antibiotic therapy but no scaling, group 2: antibiotic therapy plus scaling, group 3: placebo therapy but no scaling, group 4: placebo therapy plus scaling. Re-examinations regarding the clinical parameters were performed, samples of the subgingival microbiota harvested and 1 soft tissue biopsy from 1 scaled and 1 non-scaled quadrant obtained 2 months and 12 months after the completion of active therapy. The teeth included in groups 1 and 3 were following the 12-month examination exposed to non-surgical periodontal therapy, and subsequently exited from the study. Groups 2 and 4 were also re-examined 24 months after baseline. The findings demonstrated that in patients with advanced periodontal disease, systemic administration of metronidazole plus amoxicillin resulted in (i) an improvement of the periodontal conditions, (ii) elimination/suppression of putative periodontal pathogens such as A. actinomycetemcomitans, P. gingivalis, P. intermedia and (iii) reduction of the size of the inflammatory lesion. The antibiotic regimen alone, however, was less effective than mechanical therapy with respect to reduction of BoP - positive sites, probing pocket depth reduction, probing attachment gain. The combined mechanical and systemic antibiotic therapy (group 2) was more effective than mechanical therapy alone in terms of improvement of clinical and microbiological features of periodontal disease.

Rationale of mechanical plaque control.

Patients who have received extensive periodontal treatment also demonstrate a high susceptibility to periodontal disease. Maintenance of periodontal health following therapy includes a lifelong supportive care consisting of daily removal of the microbial plaque by the patient, supplemented by professional care in an individually designed programme. Mechanical supragingival plaque control by self care is of utmost importance. The goal is to create a positive attitude by information and motivation to give the patient knowledge and confidence. The patient should be advised to use appropriate aids and technique. A soft brush, an interspace brush, interdental tooth brushes or tooth picks are recommended in periodontal patients. Professional tooth cleaning involves removal of supragingival plaque from all tooth surfaces using mechanically driven instruments and fluoride prophy paste and, when indicated, removal of calculus and subgingival plaque. Disclosing solution is used to visualize the plaque to the patient and to the clinician in order to reinforce instruction in oral hygiene. Oral hygiene measures alone seem to have limited effect on subgingival microflora in cases of severe disease. In shallow and moderately deep pockets a good plaque control can change the subgingival flora towards a more "healthy" composition. Subgingival plaque removal is performed with hand- and/or ultrasonic instruments. Cracks within the cementum, grooves, fissures, resorption lacunae, furcations may create difficulties in cleaning the root surface. Ultrasonic instrumentation has a beneficial effect in creating a smooth surface without extensive removal of cementum. Besides, the cavitational activity contributes to plaque removal which makes the instrument further suitable during maintenance therapy. The result of the debridement is assessed on the healing response in the tissues. The frequency of maintenance visits must be given on an individual basis according to the needs of every special patient. The visit includes plaque evaluation (disclosion), oral hygiene instruction, probing depth measurements, registration of bleeding on probing, scaling (plaque removal) if indicated, tooth polishing, fluoride application and radiographs if indicated. The goal is to identify and treat signs of recurrence of periodontal disease in order to prevent further loss of attachment.

The effect of periodontal therapy in diabetics. Results after 5 years.

The present investigation was performed to study the frequency of recurrence of periodontitis in diabetic subjects, who, prior to the initiation of a 5-year period of monitoring, were treated for moderate to advanced periodontal disease. 20 patients with diabetes, type 1 (IDDM) or type 2 (NIDDM) and 20, sex and age matched, controls with similar amounts of periodontal tissue destruction, were selected for the study. Following a screening examination, all patients were subjected to non-surgical periodontal therapy (oral hygiene instruction, supra- and subgingival scaling). 3 months later, the baseline examination for the study was performed. This included assessments of several parameters such as: number of teeth, plaque, gingivitis, probing pocket depth and probing attachment level. 6 months after the baseline examination, all 40 subjects were recalled for a 2nd examination. Sites which at this 6-month examination exhibited bleeding on probing, and had probing depth > 5 mm, were scheduled for additional surgical therapy (modified Widman flap). Following this selective additional therapy, the main period of monitoring was initiated. During this period, a plaque control program was repeated every 3 months. Re-examinations regarding plaque, gingivitis, probing depth and probing attachment level were performed 12, 24 and 60 months after the baseline examination. The findings from the examinations disclosed that diabetics and non-diabetics alike, treated for moderately to advanced forms of adult periodontitis, during a subsequent 5-year period, were able to maintain healthy periodontal conditions. Thus, the frequency of sites which exhibited signs of recurrent disease was similar in the 2 study groups.

Role of "diseased" root cementum in healing following treatment of periodontal disease. A clinical study.

This clinical trial was undertaken to examine whether root debridement in the treatment of periodontal disease must include the removal of the exposed cementum in order to achieve periodontal health. The study included 11 adult patients with moderate to advanced periodontal disease. In a split-mouth design, the dentition of each patient was by random selection divided into test- and control quadrants comprising the incisors, canines and premolars. Following a baseline examination, all patients were given a case presentation and a detailed instruction in self-performed oral hygiene measures. The patients were then subjected to periodontal surgery. Following reverse bevel incisions, buccal and lingual mucoperiosteal flaps were elevated and all granulation tissue was removed. In 2 jaw quadrants (control quadrants) in each patient, the denuded root surfaces were carefully scaled and planed in order to remove soft and hard deposits as well as all cementum, using hand instruments and flame-formed diamond stones. In the contralateral quadrants (test quadrants) the roots were not scaled and planed but soft microbial deposits were removed by polishing the root surfaces with the but soft microbial deposits were removed by polishing the root surfaces with the use of rubber cups, interdental rubber tips and a polishing paste. Calculus in the test quadrants was removed by the use of a curette, but precaution was taken to avoid the removal of cementum. The flaps were repositioned to their original level and sutured. The patients were following active treatment enrolled in a supervised maintenance care program including "professional tooth cleaning" once every 2 weeks for a 3-month period.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Effect of age on healing following periodontal therapy.

The present investigation was performed in order to analyze the effect of age on healing of the periodontal tissues following treatment. The patients included in the present analysis consisted of 2 different samples. One group of 62 patients (sample A) was examined and treated between 1980 and 1982. 13 of these subjects were less than 40 years of age, 26 subjects were 40-49 years of age and 23 subjects were greater than 49 years old. The patients were subjected to periodontal surgery using the modified Widman flap procedure. During the active phase of treatment and for the subsequent 6 months of healing, all 62 patients were subjected to professional tooth cleaning. Instruction in proper oral hygiene measures was repeated and scaling was carried out when indicated. Sample B consisted of 21 subjects treated for advanced periodontal disease in 1969. Six of these patients were between 26 and 29 years of age at the start of treatment and 15 were at least 60 years old. The criterion for acceptance for the study in 1969 was that the patient should have lost 50% or more of his/her periodontal tissues. Following an initial examination, all patients were subjected to scaling and root planing and surgical elimination of pathologically deepened pockets. After the termination of active treatment, the patients were placed in a maintenance care program which included recall appointments every 3-6 months. Once a year after the completion of active treatment, all patients in this sample were examined regarding probing depths and clinical attachment levels. The findings from the present retrospective analyses failed to demonstrate that the age of patients with moderately advanced or advanced forms of periodontal tissue breakdown had an influence on the results of periodontal therapy. If anything, the younger patients appeared to heal with a higher frequency of shallow pockets and more gain of probing attachment than older patients.

Improved periodontal conditions following therapy.

The aim of the present clinical trial was to evaluate the effect of different modes of periodontal therapy on patients with moderately advanced periodontal disease and to express the findings in terms of probing pocket depth and attachment level alterations at periodontal sites with different initial probing depths. The material consisted of 16 patients, 35-65 years of age. Following a Baseline examination including assessments of oral hygiene status, gingival conditions, probing pocket depths and probing attachment levels, the patients were subjected to periodontal treatment. A "split-mouth" design approach of therapy was used and the jaw quadrants were randomly selected for the following different treatment procedures: (1) scaling and root planning, (2) scaling and root planing in conjunction with a gingivectomy procedure, (3) scaling and root planing in conjunction with an apically repositioned flap procedure without bone recontouring, (4) scaling and root planing in conjunction with an apically repositioned flap procedure including bone recontouring, (5) scaling and root planing in conjunction with a modified Widman flap procedure without bone recontouring and (6) scaling and root planing in conjunction with a modified Widman flap procedure including bone recontouring. The patients were following active treatment enrolled in a supervised maintenance care program including "professional tooth cleaning" once every 2 weeks during a 6-month period of healing, after which a final examination was performed. The investigation demonstrated that active therapy including meticulous subgingival debridement resulted in a low frequency of gingival sites which bled on probing, a high frequency of sites with shallow pockets (less than 4 mm) and the disappearance of pockets with a probing depth of greater than 6 mm. Between the Baseline examination and the 6-month re-examination, the probing attachment level for initially shallow pockets remained basically unaltered, but with a tendency of a minor apical shift. This occurred in all 6 treatment groups. For sites with initial probing depths of 4-6 mm and greater than 6 mm, there was in all groups some gain of probing attachment. This gain was most pronounced in the initially deeper (greater than 6 mm) pockets. With the use of regression analysis, the "critical probing depth" (CPD) value (i.e. the initial probing depth value below which loss of attachment occurred as a result of treatment and above which gain of probing attachment level resulted) was calculated for each of the 6 methods of treatment used. A comparison of the CPD-values between the 6 treatment groups did not reveal any major differences.

Long-term effect of surgical/non-surgical treatment of periodontal disease.

The present investigation describes the effect of periodontal therapy in a group of patients who, following active treatment, were monitored over a 5-year period. One aim of the study was to analyze the rôle played by the patients' self-performed plaque control in preventing recurrent periodontitis. In addition, probing depth and attachment level alterations were studied separately for sites with initial probing depths of greater than or equal to 4 mm which were treated initially by either surgical or non-surgical procedures. Following active treatment (surgical/non-surgical), the patients were maintained on a plaque control regimen for 6 months, which included professional tooth cleaning once every 2 weeks. During the subsequent 18 months, the interval between the recall appointments was extended to 12 weeks and included prophylaxis as well as oral hygiene instruction. Following the 24-month examination, the interval between the recall appointments was further extended, now to 4-6 months. In addition, the maintenance program was restricted to oral hygiene instruction and professional, supragingival tooth cleaning, but further subgingival instrumentation was avoided. Clinical examinations including assessments of the oral hygiene, the gingival conditions, the probing depths and the attachment levels were performed at Baseline and after 24 and 60 months after completion of active therapy. Assessments of plaque and gingivitis were repeated annually. The results of the examinations showed that the patients' standard of self-maintained oral hygiene had a decisive influence on the long-term effect of treatment. Patients who during the 5 years of monitoring consistently had a high frequency of plaque-free tooth surfaces showed little evidence of recurrent periodontal disease, while patients who had a low frequency of plaque-free tooth surfaces had a high frequency of sites showing additional loss of attachment. The present findings demonstrated that sites with an initial pocket depth exceeding 3 mm responded equally well to non-surgical and surgical treatments. This statement is based on probing depth and attachment level data from sites which were free of plaque at the 6-, 12-, 24-, 36-, 48-, and 60-month reexaminations. It is suggested that the critical determinant in periodontal therapy is not the technique (surgical or non-surgical) that is used for the elimination of the subgingival infection, but the quality of the debridement of the root surface.

Use of chlorhexidine as a plaque control measure following surgical treatment of periodontal disease.

Chlorhexidine mouth rinsing was compared with regularly performed professional tooth cleaning as a plaque control measure during healing following periodontal surgery. 14 patients were selected for the study. A Baseline examination included assessment of oral hygiene status, gingival condition, probing depth and attachment level. In each patient, scaling and root planing was carried out in conjunction with the modified Widman flap procedure including recontouring of alveolar bone irregularities in 2 jaw quadrants. The same procedures without osseous surgery were performed in contralateral jaw quadrants. 7 patients rinsed their mouth with a solution of 0.2% chlorhexidine digluconate twice a day, 2 min each time, for the first 6 months after therapy (healing phase). During the same period the remaining 7 patients were recalled every 2 weeks for professional tooth cleaning ad modum Axelsson & Lindhe (1974). Following reexamination after 6 months, all 14 patients were placed on a maintenance care program which included mechanical prophylaxis once every 3 months for 18 months (maintenance phase). Reexaminations were performed 6, 12 and 24 months after completion of initial therapy. The results revealed that professional tooth cleaning was somewhat more effective as a plaque control measure during healing following surgery than chlorhexidine mouth rinsing. At the end of the healing phase (1) there was a higher frequency of sites with pockets deeper than 4 mm in the patients who rinsed with chlorhexidine, (2) less gain of attachment occurred following chlorhexidine rinsing in pockets with an initial probing depth of greater than 4 mm, and (3) attachment loss in initially shallow pockets was somewhat more pronounced in the patients who rinsed with chlorhexidine. The differences in the effect of the 2 methods of plaque control, however, were small and in most respects diminished in the course of the maintenance phase. It was concluded that mouth rinsing with chlorhexidine is a proper alternative to plaque control during healing following periodontal surgery.

"Critical probing depths" in periodontal therapy.

The present investigation was carried out on 15 individuals who were referred for treatment of moderately advanced periodontal disease. All patients were first subjected to a Baseline examination comprising assessment of oral hygiene and gingival conditions, probing depths and attachment levels. Following case presentation and instructions in oral hygiene measures, the patients were given periodontal treatment utilizing a split mouth design. In one side of the jaw scaling and root planing were performed in conjunction with a modified Widman flap procedure while in the contralateral jaw quadrants the treatment was restricted to scaling and root planing only. The period from initial treatment to 6 months after treatment was considered to be the healing phase and from 6-24 months after treatment the maintenance phase. During the healing phase the patients were recalled for professional tooth cleaning once every 2 weeks. During the maintenance phase the interval between the recall appointments was extended to 3 months. Reexaminations were carried out 6, 12 and 24 months after the completion of active treatment. The results revealed that treatment resulted in loss of clinical attachment in sites with initially shallow pockets, while sites with initially deep pockets gained clinical attachment. With the use of regression analysis "critical probing depths" were calculated for the two methods of treatment used. It was found that the critical probing depth value for scaling and root planing was significantly smaller than the corresponding value for scaling and root planing used in combination with modified Widman flap surgery (2.9 vs 4.2 mm). In addition, the surgical modality of therapy resulted in more attachment loss than the non-surgical approach when used in sites with initially shallow pockets. On the other hand, in sites with initial probing depths above the critical probing depth value more gain of clinical attachment occurred following Widman flap surgery than following scaling and root planing. The data obtained from the reexaminations 12 and 24 months after active treatment demonstrated that the probing depths and the attachment levels obtained following active therapy and healing were maintained more or less unchanged during a maintenance care period which involved careful prophylaxis once every 3 months. However, the data also disclosed that the level of oral hygiene maintained by the patients during healing and maintenance was more critical for the resulting probing depths and attachment levels than the mode of initial therapy used.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)