Subgingival temperature (II). Relation to future periodontal attachment loss.

Abstract

The purpose of the present investigation was to determine whether subgingival temperature was a risk indicator of periodontal attachment loss (detected in the following 2 months) in a subject or at a site. 29 subjects were measured at 6 sites per tooth for clinical parameters as well as subgingival temperature using a periodontal temperature probe (Periotemp, ABIO-DENT, Danvers, MA). The same instrument was used to measure sublingual temperature in order to compute differences between subgingival and sublingual temperature. Clinical and temperature parameters were measured at 2-month intervals. A total of 49 subject visits which had both baseline temperature and subsequent attachment level change measurements were available for analysis. Attachment level loss greater than 2.5 mm occurred at 1 or more sites at 16 of 49 subject visits. Elevated mean subgingival temperature was related to subsequent attachment loss particularly in individuals who exhibited more than 1 progressing site. The odds ratios of a subject exhibiting new attachment loss at 1 or more sites or at 2 or more sites were 14.5 and 64.0 if the subject's mean subgingival temperature exceeded 35.5 degrees C. Subjects with high mean subgingival temperatures and widespread periodontal destruction appeared to be at greatest risk for new attachment loss. Discriminant analysis using % of sites with suppuration, redness and attachment level greater than 3 mm and mean site temperature correctly "predicted" disease activity with a sensitivity, specificity and overall agreement of 0.75, 0.76 and 0.82 respectively. Of 7243 sites, 43 (0.59%) and 160 (2.2%) showed attachment loss of either 2.5 mm or more or 2 mm or more respectively.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)