Abstract
Some patients respond poorly to periodontal treatment, whereas others respond well to treatment, but fail to maintain improved periodontal status. We hypothesized that the initial response of the periodontal pockets to periodontal treatment is correlated with the recurrence rate of deep pockets during maintenance. The objective of this longitudinal study was to verify this hypothesis in patients with chronic periodontitis. All patients underwent initial periodontal treatment, followed by periodontal surgery if deep pockets and bleeding on probing (BOP) persisted. Data from all treated sites (n=895) in 19 patients exhibiting recurrent deep pockets during maintenance care were analyzed. Recurrent deep pockets were defined as pockets with a probing pocket depth (PPD) of \_mB42 4 mm at the first visit, which had decreased to a depth of \_mB43 3 mm after the periodontal treatment, but increased again to \_mB42 4 mm during maintenance care. All treated sites were classified into two groups: a recurrent group (n=82) and a stable group (n=813). Clinical parameters during treatment were evaluated in both groups. Number of roots (single or multi), BOP (positive/negative) and tooth mobility (positive/ negative) also served as classification parameters. A logistic regression model was utilized to estimate the probability of recurrence of deep pockets in relation to the extent of decrease of the PPD following initial periodontal treatment. The results of this study revealed that sites demonstrating only slight decrease of the PPD after initial periodontal treatment showed a high likelihood of showing recurrent deep pockets during maintenance care. The degree of the PPD following initial periodontal treatment may be a risk indicator during maintenance care.
Nihon Shishubyo Gakkai Kaishi (J Jpn Soc Periodontol) 53(4) : 243-253, 2011.
