Stability of Treated Angular and Horizontal Bony Defects: A Retrospective Radiographic Evaluation in a Private Periodontal Practice

Abstract

This retrospective radiographic evaluation provided a comparative assessment of long-term alterations of alveolar bone levels at sites with angular and horizontal bony defects that underwent open-flap debridement and did not undergo resective or regenerative periodontal therapy. The investigation included 50 patients (27 met inclusion criteria) who had periodontal surgery and periodontal maintenance every 3 to 6 months and who presented with sites demonstrating radiographic angular defects and sites on adjacent or contralateral teeth that demonstrated horizontal bone loss. Subsequent to surgical therapy, alterations in bone levels at the alveolar crest of horizontal defects and at the base of angular defects were evaluated by comparing radiographs from the initial examination to those obtained after a period of periodontal maintenance (6 to 16 years; mean: 8.83 years). After periodontal therapy, sites with angular and horizontal alveolar bone loss had additional bone loss of 5.56% and 3.88%, respectively. Based on a defining criterion of 10%, the angular and horizontal sites were clinically equivalent with respect to the magnitude of osseous resorption that occurred after periodontal surgery and maintenance.