The efficacy of nonsurgical periodontal therapy by ultrasonic scaling and root planning. I. Clinical evaluation of probing pocket depth.

Abstract

The present study offers a report on the changes found in probing pocket depths of patients screened during a 6-month follow-up examination following a clinical trial using nonsurgical periodontal therapy with ultrasonic scaling and root planing alone. A total of 5082 surfaces (847 teeth)were evaluated in 34 patients with moderately to extremely advanced periodontitis after initial therapy and baseline assessments. Measurements of probing pocket depth for all teeth were recorded at 3 and 6 months. All measurements were made at six aspects of the tooth. The present study demonstrated that active therapy resulted in a remarkable reduction in probing pocket depths including sites with initial probing depths classified as 4-6 mm and 7 mm or more. Statistical analysis revealed significant differences when comparing 3- and 6-month intervals. The most pronounced reduction in pocket depths occurring at 6 months after therapy was seen in teeth with initial probing depths of 7 mm or more. A limited difference in mean probing pocket depths was seen in the four surfaces (buccal,lingual, mesial and distal)with initially probing pocket depth of 1-3 mm at 3-month and 6-month intervals. In addition, amarked shift was also observed in the number of sites with initial probing pocket depths of 7 mm or more to 4-6 mm as well as a shift from initial pocket depths of 4-6 mm to 1-3 mm. These findings suggest that the indications for periodontal surgery should be evaluated, at least after 3-6 months of nonsurgical periodontal therapy.