The Presence of Visible Third Molars Negatively Influences Periodontal Outcomes: The Population Study NHANES 2009-10

Abstract

Purpose: Assess the impact of mechanical debridement of sub-gingival biofilm on periodontal outcomes in young adults with asymptomatic third molars. Subjects and Methods: Healthy subjects with four asymptomatic third molars were enrolled in an IRBapproved longitudinal study. Clinical data were collected at enrollment and at follow-up visits. Full mouth periodontal probing, six sites per tooth were assessed as measures of clinical periodontal status. At enrollment all subjects had a dental prophylaxis after data collection which included removal of sub-gingival biofilm; this was repeated annually. The primary outcome measures were the comparison from baseline to follow-up two years after enrollment of subjects’ periodontal probing depths for third molars and first and second molars. In addition, a comparison of extent scores baseline to follow-up two years after enrollment for periodontal probing sites at least 4mm (PD4+) were calculated for the same molar regions of the mouth. Changes over time in clinical periodontal status from enrollment to the follow-up at least two years later were analyzed with Mantel-Haenszel row mean score statistics. Level of significance set at P<0.05. Results:Median follow-up from entry to the study was 2.2 years (IQR 2.0-2.8 years) for 262 subjects who averaged 27.7 years of age (SD 1.2 years); 53% were female, and 81% Caucasian. Most subjects, 90%, were educated beyond high school. Based on periodontal probing depths, subjects’ clinical periodontal status did not differ from enrollment to follow-up. Conclusions: Dental prophylaxis at yearly intervals in subjects with asymptomatic third molars, which included mechanical removal of sub-gingival biofilm, had minimal or no impact on reducing deeper probing depths, clinical indicators of periodontal pathology in young adults.