Oral health-related quality of life in patients under supportive periodontal therapy.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the oral health-related quality of life (OH-QoL) in patients under supportive periodontal therapy (SPT) and the influence of the individual periodontal risk as well as different degrees of adherence during SPT on OH-QoL. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 309 patients with at least 5 years of SPT were re-examined. Periodontal risk profile (according to Lang and Tonetti) was assessed and the adherence to SPT-appointments within the last 30(±6) months was reviewed for each patient (fully adherent: adherence to all appointments ±6 weeks, partially adherent: SPT-interval not extended more than half of the recommended interval, insufficiently adherent: SPT-interval extended more than half of the recommended interval, non-adherent: recommended SPT-interval interruption ≥12 months). OH-QoL was measured using the German short-version of the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-G14). Differences between groups (Mann-Whitney U test, Kruskal-Wallis test), association between total OHIP-scores and the predictors age, mean periodontal probing depth and oral hygiene parameters were tested (Spearman's correlation). A multivariable linear regression model was fitted using all categorical predictors with a univariable p value <.1. RESULTS: Statistical analysis revealed no significant differences in OHIP-G14 scores for gender, periodontal diagnosis and prosthetic status. Patients with deep periodontal pockets (≥6 mm) showed significantly higher OHIP-G14 scores compared to patients without deep pockets (p = .049). Adherence and periodontal surgery were statistically significant predictors for the OHIP-G14 score. CONCLUSIONS: OH-QoL of patients under long-term SPT seems to be influenced by periodontal status. Good compliance with SPT-intervals based on the individual periodontal risk profile seems to contribute to a better OH-QoL compared to irregular attendance of SPT.

Long-term stability of splinted anterior mandibular teeth during supportive periodontal therapy.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to retrospectively assess the survival rate and stability of periodontally compromised and mobile anterior mandibular teeth after splinting in patients under supportive periodontal therapy (SPT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-nine patients with splinted anterior mandibular teeth and SPT (≥1 visit/year) for 3-15 years were re-examined. Periodontal status, patient and tooth-related factors were assessed retrospectively before (baseline) and 3 years after splinting (n = 39 patients, 162 splinted teeth). For patients with splints inserted for more than 3 years, retrospective data after 5 (n = 30), 7 (n = 24), 10 (n = 16), 12 (n = 8) and 15 years (n = 4) was included, if available. At baseline, splinted teeth included at least one tooth with increased mobility combined with clinical attachment loss (CAL) ≥ 5 mm and ≥50% relative bone loss (RBL). Baseline RBL of splinted teeth was assessed for all patients. Change in RBL was assessed after 10 years, if available. RESULTS: No splinted tooth was lost within the first 3 years after splinting. One splinted tooth was lost 7 years after baseline and one 12 years after baseline. After 3 years mean(SD) periodontal probing depth of splinted teeth decreased from 3.39(1.41) mm to 2.12(0.37) mm and mean(SD) CAL from 5.61(1.66) mm to 5.09(1.67) mm and remained stable over the observation period. No change in RBL was observed over a 10-year period (p = .213). The survival rate of the splints until fracture or debonding was 74.4% after 3 years. CONCLUSIONS: Periodontally compromised splinted teeth show a high survival-rate and periodontal stability during SPT.