EVALUATION OF EFFECTIVENESS OF TREATMENT-AND-PROPHYLACTIC COMPLEX IN TOBACCO-ADDICTED PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC GENERALIZED PERIODONTITIS ON THE BACKGROUND OF CHRONIC HYPERACID GASTRITIS.

OBJECTIVE: The aim: To evaluate the clinical efficacy of treatment-and-prophylactic complex in patients addicted to tobacco with chronic generalized periodontitis with chronic hyperacid gastritis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Materials and methods: 68 patients (men and women) aged 25-44 years were examined. They were distributed into two groups: the main group - 48 patients addicted to tobacco with chronic generalized 1 degree periodontitis and chronic hyperacid gastritis, associated with Helicobacter pylori, the control group - 20 healthy individuals without bad habits. Patients of the main group were distributed at random into 2 subgroups (1.1, 1.2) depending on the chosen therapy. The patients of the subgroup 1.1 received the basic therapy and the developed treatment and prophylactic complex, the subgroup 1.2 received the basic therapy and the ultraphonophoresis procedures with placebo. Assessment of the effectiveness of therapy was carried out by determining hygienic index OHI-S and periodontal indices (PI, PMA index and Muhlemann bleeding index (MBI)). RESULTS: Results: The usage of the treatment-and-prophylactic complex resulted in improvement of the hygienic index OHI-S and periodontal indices (PI, PMA index and MBI) at the immediate and late observation period. CONCLUSION: Conclusions: Results of the study confirmed the effectiveness of the proposed treatment-and-prophylactic complex in therapy of chronic generalized 1 degree periodontitis in patients addicted to tobacco smoking with chronic hyperacid gastritis.

Evidence-Based Update on Diagnosis and Management of Gingivitis and Periodontitis.

This article is an overview to update the practicing general dental practitioner about clinically relevant evidence-based topics published in the recent past in the diagnosis, etiopathogenesis, and management of gingivitis and periodontitis.

Factores de riesgo modificables e inmodificables de la periodontitis: revisión narrativa / Modifiable and Non-Modifiable Risk Factors of Chronic Periodontitis: A Narrative Review

Antecedentes: La periodontitis crónica asociada a la placa bacteriana tiene factores de riesgo modificables e inmodificables que deben tenerse en cuenta en su prevención y control. Objetivo: Analizar la evidencia disponible sobre los factores de riesgo modificables e inmodificables de la periodontitis crónica con el fin de escribir guías de manejo clínico. Métodos: Se realizó una búsqueda sistemática de la literatura en tres bases de datos (PubMed, LiLACS y Embase) usando la siguiente combinación de términos del Medical Subejct Headings de Medline: "risk indicator OR risk factor AND chronic periodontitis". También se buscaron artículos y literatura gris en Google Académico. Se incluyeron estudios de corte transversal, casos y controles, longitudinales, ensayos clínicos controlados y revisiones generales y sistemáticas de la literatura. Se efectuó una revisión narrativa sobre el tema con las referencias más relevantes encontradas. Resultados: Se analizaron 39 artículos que cumplieron con los criterios de la búsqueda. Entre los factores de riesgo modificables se encontraron: diabetes no controlada, obesidad, estrés, tabaquismo y placa bacteriana. Los factores de riesgo inmodificables hallados fueron: cambios hormonales, infección por VIH, neutropenia, edad, sexo, raza y genética. Los dos factores de riesgo más frecuentemente asociados, además de la placa bacteriana, fueron diabetes y tabaquismo. Conclusiones: El control de la periodontitis crónica debe basarse no solo en el control de la placa bacteriana sino también en la prevención mediante la identificación temprana y el control de factores de riesgo para evitar la aparición o el avance de esta enfermedad.

Background: Dental-plaque associated chronic periodontitis is influenced by modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors that must be addressed through preventive and corrective treatment. Purpose: To analyze available evidence on modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors of chronic periodontitis in order to write clinical management guidelines. Methods: A systematic search of literature was conducted in three databases (PubMed, LiLACS, and Embase) using the following combination of terms from the Medical Subject Headings: "risk indicator OR risk factor AND chronic periodontitis." Other articles and gray literature were search in Google Scholar. The search included cross-sectional, cohort, and case control studies, controlled clinical trials, and general and systematic literature reviews. A narrative review was conducted with the most relevant articles found. Results: 39 articles met the search criteria. Modifiable risk factors found were: non-controlled diabetes, obesity, stress, smoking, and dental plaque. Non-modifiable factors were: hormonal changes, HIV infection, neutropenia, age, sex, race, and genetics. Besides dental plaque, the two most frequently associated factors were diabetes and smoking. Conclusion: The treatment of chronic periodontitis must focus, in addition to controlling dental plaque, on early detection prevention and risk-factor control to avoid the occurrence and advance of this type of disease.

Post-treatment supportive care for the natural dentition and dental implants.

Long-term successful treatment of chronic periodontitis requires placement of patients on post-treatment recall programs known as either periodontal maintenance therapy or supportive periodontal therapy. Selection of the recall intervals must be based on the specific needs of individual patients. A single recall interval (e.g. 6 months) is not suitable for all patients. The main purpose of these programs is to prevent the recurrence of periodontitis. The components of every periodontal maintenance therapy program include: review of medical/dental histories; complete oral examination with an emphasis on the detection of gingival inflammation; establishing whether the maintenance program is working by monitoring clinical attachment levels; evaluation of oral hygiene; and full-mouth supragingival and subgingival debridement (i.e. biofilm removal). Long-term post-insertion care for dental implants also requires a similar patient-specific recall program of supportive implant therapy. The main purposes of a supportive implant therapy program are to maintain a healthy peri-implant mucosa and thereby prevent the development of peri-implantitis. In cases in which plaque-induced peri-implant mucositis has occurred, a well-designed supportive implant therapy program can help return the mucosa to a healthy state. At the current time there is no consensus on the optimal interventions for the treatment of peri-implant mucositis. However, all effective supportive implant therapy programs emphasize meticulous oral hygiene practices, careful peri-implant examination, thoughtful analysis of risk factors and periodic removal of microbial deposits from the implants.

The utility of gingival crevicular fluid matrix metalloproteinase-8 response patterns in prediction of site-level clinical treatment outcome.

BACKGROUND: Different gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-8 response patterns were studied among non-smoking and smoking patients with chronic periodontitis (CP) and generalized aggressive periodontitis (GAgP) to test the utility of GCF MMP-8 levels predicting the site-level treatment outcome. METHODS: Data from four independent longitudinal studies were combined. Altogether, the studies included 158 periodontal sites from 67 patients with CP and 32 patients with GAgP, and GCF samples were collected at baseline, after the treatment, and during the 6-month maintenance period. All GCF samples were analyzed by immunofluorometric assay for MMP-8. Different site-level MMP-8 response patterns were explored by the cluster analysis. Most optimal MMP-8 cutoff levels were searched with receiver operating characteristic analyses, and the predictive utility of defined levels was tested. RESULTS: Distinct types of MMP-8 response patterns were found in both smokers and non-smokers. MMP-8 levels exceeding the optimal cutoff levels separately defined for smokers and non-smokers indicated increased risk for compromised treatment outcome at baseline and during the maintenance period. Seventy-one percent of non-smokers (positive likelihood ratio of 4.22) and 88% of smokers (positive likelihood ratio of 5.00) with positive test results at both baseline and the maintenance period had compromised treatment outcome. The double-positive result indicated 46% and 39% point risk increase for the compromised outcome, respectively. CONCLUSION: GCF MMP-8 analysis with defined cutoff levels could be used to predict the site-level treatment outcome and for longitudinal monitoring of the disease status during the maintenance period.

The significance of motivation in periodontal treatment: the influence of adult patients' motivation on the clinical periodontal status.

UNLABELLED: Motivation plays an important role in the treatment process of chronic diseases, as treatment requires behavioural change and lifelong adherence to medical recommendations. Periodontitis is a good example of such health condition as to maintain good periodontal health patients have to adhere to a strict oral hygiene regimen. OBJECTIVE: To examine whether the motivation of patients suffering from chronic periodontitis influences their clinical periodontal condition. BASIC RESEARCH DESIGN: Cross sectional study. CLINICAL SETTING: Department of Periodontology and Oral Medicine, Dental University Clinic, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland. PARTICIPANTS: 199 adult periodontal patients, aged 20-78 years. INTERVENTIONS: Questionnaire concerning patients' medical and dental history, modified Zychlinscy motivation assessment questionnaire, clinical periodontal examination. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The extent of motivation. Periodontal status evaluated with the use of periodontal indices (API, BOP, CPITN). RESULTS: The mean motivation score was 57.4. The mean API and BOP values were 55.7% and 46.4%, respectively. For most of the patients the recorded CPITN value was 3. Correlations were observed between motivation and both API and BOP, and between API and BOP. CONCLUSION: Periodontal patients with greater motivation having better oral health (lower API and BOP) suggests an influence on the quality of their self-management of the disease (i.e. adherence to their oral hygiene regimen).

Effect of smoking cessation on non-surgical periodontal therapy: results after 24 months.

AIM: The aim of this 24-month prospective study was to assess the effect of smoking cessation on non-surgical periodontal therapy (NSPT) in adult subjects with chronic periodontitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Relative to a previous 12-month follow-up study, recruitment and follow-up period were extended, resulting in 116 eligible among the 286 screened subjects. They received NSPT and concurrent smoking cessation interventions. Periodontal maintenance was performed every 3 months. A calibrated examiner, blinded to smoking status, performed full-mouth periodontal examination in six sites per tooth at baseline, 3, 12 and 24 months of follow-up. Expired air carbon monoxide concentration measurements and interviews were performed to gather demographic and behavioural information. RESULTS: From the 116 enrolled subjects, 61 remained up to 24 months of follow-up. Of these, 18 quit smoking (Q), 32 continued smoking (NQ) and 11 oscillated (O) at 24 months of follow-up. Thereby, Q showed significantly higher mean CAL gain in diseased sites and higher reduction in the proportion of sites with CAL ≥ 3 mm, when compared to NQ. In addition, Q presented significantly higher mean probing depth reduction relative to NQ(p ≤ 0.05). CONCLUSION: Smoking cessation promoted additional benefits on NSPT in chronic periodontitis subjects.

Lip buccal mucosa traumatic overgrowth due to sucking habit - a 10-year follow-up of a non-surgical approach: a combination of behavioural and myofunctional therapy.

OBJECTIVE: Traumatic lesion of the lip buccal mucosa may develop due to a repetitive lip sucking habit, secondary to a dental space which opened in the dental in adult patients. The non surgical treatment approach is based on increasing of patient's awareness to the sucking habit along with the creation of a change in the oral and dental surrounding tissues. The following case included a failure to identify a traumatic habit of lower lip sucking, resulting in a buccal mucosa overgrowth. Combined conservative periodontal and orthodontic approach will be presented to address this clinical issue without any need for surgical intervention. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 56 year old female patient presented with a complaint of unaesthetic appearance of the intraoral right buccal mucosa of the lower lip at rest position due to an intensive repetitive sucking habit of the right lower lip segment. We initiated a non surgical treatment approach including increasing the patient's awareness to the sucking habit, controlling the periodontal disease and orthodontic treatment to align and level the dental arch and to close the residual space. RESULT: The soft tissue overgrowth on the lip buccal mucosa almost completely subsided spontaneously as a result of conservative dental and behavioral management without the need for any oral surgery intervention. A 10 years follow-up revealed no repetitive oral mucosa overgrowth, no spaces reopening and no sucking habit redevelopment. CONCLUSION: Implementation of a morphological correction will assist the patient in breaking the habit and creating an environment that may effectively prevent the reoccurrence of the habit.

Compliance of cigarette smokers with scheduled visits for supportive periodontal therapy.

AIM: To evaluate the compliance of cigarette smokers with scheduled visits for supportive periodontal therapy (SPT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Qualitative and quantitative analyses of compliance with scheduled SPT visits were performed using retrospective data from patients undergoing dental hygiene treatment at the Medi School of Dental Hygiene (MSDH), Bern, Switzerland 1985-2011. RESULTS: A total of 1336 patients were identified with 32.1% (n = 429) being smokers, 23.1% (n = 308) former smokers and 44.8% (n = 599) non-smokers. Qualitatively, significantly less smokers returned for SPT than non-smokers or former smokers (p = 0.0026), whereas 25.9% (n = 346) never returned for SPT. Further quantitative analysis of patients returning twice or more (n = 883) revealed that the overall mean %-compliance was 69.8% (SD ±22.04),whereas smokers complied with 67.0% (SD ±22.00), former smokers with 69.7% (SD ±22.03), and non-smokers with 71.7% (SD ±21.92) reaching statistical significance (p = 0.0111). Confounder adjusted analysis, however, revealed that older age (p = 0.0001), female gender (p = 0.0058), longer SPT intervals (p < 0.0001) and higher severity of periodontal disease (p < 0.0001) had a much greater impact on %-compliance than smoking (p = 0.7636). CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that qualitatively, smokers return less likely for SPT than non-smokers or former smokers while quantitatively, a lower mean %-compliance of smokers attending scheduled SPT visits may be attributed to confounders.

Tooth loss in individuals under periodontal maintenance therapy: 5-year prospective study.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Tooth loss (TL), one of the most visible results of the evolution of periodontitis, causes physiological and psychological impacts on a patient's life. This prospective study aimed to evaluate the incidence, underlying reasons and influence of risk predictors for the occurrence of TL in a program of periodontal maintenance therapy (PMT) over 5 years. METHODS: The sample comprised 212 individuals diagnosed with chronic moderate-severe periodontitis, who had finished active periodontal treatment, were incorporated in a PMT program. Individuals were divided in to two groups: 96 regular compliers (RC) and 116 irregular compliers (IC). Full-mouth periodontal examination was performed. Social, demographic, behavioral and biological variables of interest were collected at all PMT visits. The effect of risk predictors and confounders for TL, as well as the underlying reasons of TL, were assessed by univariate and multivariate analysis. RESULTS: TL was significantly lower among RC (0.12 teeth lost/year) in comparison to IC (0.36 teeth lost/year; p < 0.01). Individuals that were > 55 years old, males and smokers lost significantly more teeth in both groups (with IC > RC). The number of teeth lost due to periodontal reasons was significantly higher than TL for other reasons in both groups (p < 0.01). The final linear and logistic model for TL included: male gender, smoking, probing depth 4-6 mm in up to 10% of sites and irregular compliance. CONCLUSION: IC individuals undergoing PMT presented higher rates of TL when compared to RC individuals. Findings demonstrated the influence of irregular compliance and the importance of monitoring other risk predictors for TL such as smoking, male gender and severity of probing depth during PMT.

Impact of a customised dietary intervention on antioxidant status, dietary intakes and periodontal indices in patients with adult periodontitis.

BACKGROUND: Dietary modification may be important in the prevention and control of chronic adult periodontitis. The role of promoting an adequate consumption of fruits, vegetables and whole grains in chronic periodontitis has not been thoroughly investigated. The main aim of this dietary intervention study was to assess the influence of a customised dietary intervention (aiming to increase the consumption of fruits, vegetables and whole grains) on antioxidant status in adults with chronic periodontitis. METHODS: Fifty-one participants, aged 30-65 years, were recruited from a U.K. Dental Hospital and randomly allocated to an intervention or control group. Both groups received normal clinical treatment but customised dietary advice was delivered to the intervention group by a community nutrition assistant. Dietary intakes, anthropometric parameters and biochemical indices with respect to blood and saliva and periodontal indices were evaluated at baseline, as well as at 3 and 6 months post-dietary intervention. RESULTS: At 3 and 6 months post-intervention, the intervention group showed a significant (P < 0.05) increase in plasma total antioxidant capacity measured by Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity assay compared to the control group. At 3 and 6 months after dietary intervention, the intervention group had significantly higher intakes of fruits and vegetables compared to the control group. The intake of whole grain was significantly higher in the intervention group than in the control group, 6 months post-intervention. No significant differences were observed with respect to periodontal indices between groups. CONCLUSIONS: It is suggested that dietary advice may help to improve dietary habits and, consequently, the antioxidant status of patients with chronic periodontitis. However, the impact of such intervention on periodontal indices needs further investigation.

Routine prophylaxes every 3 months improves chronic periodontitis status in type 2 diabetes.

BACKGROUND: Periodontitis and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) are major health problems, especially in low-income populations with little access to dental care. Low-cost models for treatment of periodontal disease have not been tested in controlled studies in low-income populations. Dental prophylaxis, which includes removal of supragingival calculus and plaque, has been shown to arrest the progression of periodontitis. A controlled clinical trial was conducted to determine the effect of dental prophylaxis on periodontitis in T2DM. METHODS: Twenty-six patients with T2DM and chronic periodontitis (CP) and 26 without T2DM with CP were selected. Periodontal probing depth (PD), gingival bleeding on probing (BOP), clinical attachment level (CAL), and surfaces with plaque were recorded at baseline and 3, 6, and 9 months after initial treatment. All the participants received instructions on oral hygiene and one session of dental prophylaxis at baseline and every 3 months. Glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels were measured at baseline and every 3 months in patients with T2DM. RESULTS: A significant improvement of PD, BOP, and sites with plaque was observed 3 months after treatment in patients with T2DM (P = 0.001). In controls, mean PD significantly improved after 6 months compared with baseline (P = 0.001). No significant improvement of CAL occurred in either group. No significant differences in periodontal parameters between the groups were detected, and no participant showed progression of CP during the 9-month study period. Dental prophylaxis did not influence HbA1c levels, and no association among HbA1c concentration, pretreatment metabolic status, and severity of CP was found. CONCLUSION: Routine prophylaxes every 3 months significantly improve periodontal health and prevent progression of CP in both poorly controlled and well-controlled patients with T2DM.

Efeito da severidade da doença periodontal sobre a expressão do Receptor Ativado por Protease do Tipo 2 (PAR-2) / Effect of the severity of periodontal disease on the expression of Protease Activated Receptor Type 2 (PAR-2)

Pesquisas recentes investigando o receptor ativado por protease do tipo 2 (PAR-2) sugerem uma associação entre este receptor e a inflamação periodontal. Além disso, é sabido que a gingipaína, protease bacteriana secretada por um importante periodontopatógeno, Porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg), tem a capacidade de ativar o PAR-2. Ademais, um estudo anterior do grupo, verificou que quanto mais profunda a bolsa periodontal, maior era a expressão do receptor PAR-2. No entanto, não é sabido se a expressão de PAR-2 é proporcional a severidade de doença periodontal e a quantidade de gingipaína expressa na bolsa periodontal. Desta forma, o presente estudo, verificou no fluido gengival a correlação entre a expressão gênica de PAR-2 (Real Time-PCR) com os parâmetros clínicos periodontais, e a expressão gênica da protease gingipaína em pacientes com periodontite crônica severa e moderada, antes e após o tratamento periodontal não-cirúrgico. A expressão de PAR-2 e da protease gingipaína foi estatisticamente maior nos pacientes do grupo periodontite crônica severa (PS) em comparação com os pacientes do grupo periodontite crônica modera (PM) e controle (C). Além disso, o tratamento periodontal levou à redução significativa (p<0.05) da expressão de PAR-2 nos pacientes com periodontite crônica moderada. Em conclusão, dentro dos limites do presente estudo, nós demonstramos que a severidade da doença periodontal e a expressão de gingipaína influenciaram a expressão de PAR-2 no fluido gengival de pacientes com periodontite crônica.

Recent studies investigating the protease-activated receptor type 2 (PAR-2) suggest an association between the receptor and periodontal inflammation. In addition, it is known that gingipain, a bacterial protease secreted by an important periodontopathogen, Porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg), has the ability to activate PAR- 2. Furthermore, a previous study from our group found that the deeper the periodontal pocket, the higher the expression of the PAR-2 receptor. However, it is not known whether the expression of PAR-2 is associated to the severity of periodontal disease and the amount of gingipain expressed in the periodontal pocket. Thus, the present study verified, in the gingival fluid, the correlation between the PAR-2 gene expression (Real Time-PCR) with the clinical periodontal parameters, and the gene expression of the gingipain protease in patients with moderate and severe chronic periodontitis before and after non-surgical periodontal treatment. PAR-2 expression and gingipain protease were statistically more expressed in patients of the severe chronic periodontitis group (PS) compared with those in the moderate chronic periodontitis group (PM) and control group (C). Furthermore, periodontal treatment led to a significant reduction (p <0.05) in the expression of PAR-2 in patients with moderate chronic periodontitis. In conclusion, within the limits of the present study, we demonstrated that the severity of periodontal disease and the expression of gingipain influenced the PAR-2 expression in the gingival fluid of patients with chronic periodontitis.

The impacts of adenotonsillar hypertrophy on periodontal health in children: a prospective controlled pilot study.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the impacts of obstructive adenotonsillar disease on periodontal health and to assess the efficacy of adenotonsillectomy in the prevention of chronic periodontitis in children. METHODS: This prospective and controlled clinical study was conducted between August 2012 and February 2013 with 35 pediatric patients who had permanent anterior dentition. The study group included twenty patients (n = 20) who had complaints of chronic mouth breathing and snoring and were diagnosed with obstructive adenotonsillar disease. These patients underwent adenoidectomy with or without tonsillectomy. We performed periodontal examinations to assess the periodontal health status in these children before and two months after surgery. The periodontal measures included plaque index (PI), pocket depth (PD) and gingival index scores (GI). Subsequently, these periodontal measures were compared with healthy control group who had no adenotonsillar disease (n = 15). RESULTS: Among the study group six patients underwent adenoidectomy and 14 patients underwent adenoidectomy combined with either tonsillectomy or tonsillotomy. The preoperative PI, PD and GI scores of the study group were 1.27 ± 0.39, 1.34 ± 0.31 and 0.97 ± 0.37 respectively. These scores were significantly higher compared to the control group (p < 0.001). These periodontal index scores were significantly improved after surgery (p = 0.008 for PI and p < 0.001 for both PD and GI). In addition, we found no difference in postoperative values of PD and GI between the study group and control group. CONCLUSION: We concluded that obstructive adenotonsillar disease adversely affects periodontal health in children and surgical management of obstruction improves the clinical findings. However, more comprehensive research is required to elucidate the association between adenotonsillar hypertrophy and periodontal disease.

Fluoxetine reduces periodontal disease progression in a conditioned fear stress model in rats.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Recent evidence suggests that the use of fluoxetine could reduce periodontal disease severity. However, the effect of fluoxetine on periodontal disease has not been tested in the context of conditioned fear stress (CFS). We hypothesized that inhibition of chronic stress by fluoxetine might decrease the levels of bone loss in periodontal disease. The aim of the present study was to analyze the effect of fluoxetine on bone loss in chronic periodontitis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Fourteen Wistar rats were submitted to ligature-induced periodontal disease and divided into four groups (A-D). Groups A (n = 3) and B (n = 4) were not stressed, while Groups C (n = 3) and D (n = 4) were submitted to a CFS paradigm for 38 d. Daily fluoxetine (20 mg/kg) was administered to Groups B and D from day 20 to day 39, at which point the rats were submitted to an open field test and killed on day 40. Mandibles were removed for histological and immunohistochemical analyses. RESULTS: Stress was associated with a higher level of bone loss in Group C compared with Group A. Additionally, no differences in bone loss were observed among Groups A, B and D. CONCLUSION: We showed that stress is associated with the progression of bone loss in a CFS model in rats and that fluoxetine treatment reduces the bone loss.

Sociobehavioral aspects of periodontal disease.

As one of the most common chronic diseases suffered by adults, periodontitis affects sufferers' day-to-day lives and is a threat to the integrity of the dentition. An important part in the condition's occurrence is played by sociobehavioural factors, the understanding of which is facilitated by using a number of largely complementary theoretical frameworks. Differences among individuals with respect to their periodontal status at any particular point in their life-course (and particularly once they are into early middle-age and beyond) are likely to have resulted from prolonged and differential exposure to the various protective and risk factors that determine their periodontal status. Thus, a sound understanding of the psychosocial pathways of the behaviors that are strongly linked to periodontal disease - and how such psychological factors affect the response of the periodontal tissues to pathogens - is essential for improving periodontal health, whether at the personal level or at the population level. Controlling periodontitis in populations therefore requires a number of complementary strategies. The current state of knowledge of its risk factors means that there is sufficient information to enable control of the disease, and public health officials should include it alongside their efforts to control dental caries. Controlling periodontitis has three strategies: (i) a population strategy for altering life practices, particularly those determining smoking behavior and oral self-care (plaque removal) in the community; (ii) a secondary prevention strategy to detect and treat people with destructive periodontal disease; and (iii) a high-risk strategy for treating existing disease and preventing further disease in those at special risk. The Common Risk Factor Approach and the health promotion approach are key aspects of these strategies.

Periodontal risk assessment model in a sample of regular and irregular compliers under maintenance therapy: a 3-year prospective study.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study is to investigate the association of the periodontal risk assessment (PRA) model with the recurrence of periodontitis and tooth loss during periodontal maintenance therapy (PMT). METHODS: In a prospective PMT program, 75 regular complier (RC) and 89 erratic complier (EC) patients were selected. A periodontal examination and PRA were performed after active periodontal therapy and after 3 years of PMT. Risk profiles (low, moderate, or high) of participants were evaluated, and the recurrence of periodontitis and tooth loss were analyzed using univariate and multivariate analyses. RESULTS: RCs showed less recurrence of periodontitis and tooth loss than ECs (P <0.05). Rates of periodontitis recurrence in RCs and ECs were 2.7% and 3.4%, respectively, for the moderate-risk profile and 6.7% and 11.2%, respectively, for the high-risk profile. During PMT, 49 teeth (0.65 ± 1.4 teeth per participant) were lost in the RC group, and 70 teeth (0.78 ± 2.1 teeth per participant) were lost in the EC group. High-risk profile participants showed more recurrence of periodontitis and lost significantly more teeth than did participants with moderate- or low-risk profiles in RC and EC groups (P <0.05). CONCLUSION: The risk profile influenced the recurrence of periodontitis and tooth loss. RCs had less recurrence of periodontitis and less tooth loss. The PRA model can be useful in particularizing the risk of patients and adjusting recall intervals.

Prospective study in periodontal maintenance therapy: comparative analysis between academic and private practices.

BACKGROUND: This prospective study aims to evaluate and compare the periodontal status, periodontitis progression, tooth loss, and influence of predictable risk variables of two periodontal maintenance therapy programs over a 12-month period. METHODS: A total of 288 individuals diagnosed with chronic moderate-to-advanced periodontitis, who had finished active periodontal treatment, were evaluated in a public academic environment (AG) (n = 138), as well as in a private clinic (PG) (n = 150). A full-mouth periodontal examination was performed at baseline and at quadrimestral recalls, evaluating plaque index, probing depth, clinical attachment level, furcation involvement, bleeding on probing (BOP), and suppuration. Individuals' social, demographic, and biologic data, as well as compliance with recalls, were recorded. The effect of variables of interest and confounders were tested by univariate and multivariate analysis. RESULTS: The PG demonstrated lower rates of periodontitis progression and tooth loss than did the AG. After adjusting for confounders, the risk variables of BOP (P = 0.047), smoking (P = 0.003), and diabetes (P = 0.028) for the PG and smoking (P = 0.047) for the AG showed a negative influence on periodontal status. CONCLUSIONS: In both groups, the periodontal maintenance therapy minimized the negative effect of the risk variables. However, PG showed significantly less progression of periodontitis and tooth loss compared to AG.

See you in three months! The rationale for the three monthly periodontal recall interval: a risk based approach.

UNLABELLED: There is significant evidence to support the regular review of patients with chronic periodontitis. There is, however, comparatively little evidence to demonstrate how often such reviews should take place. This paper looks at the periodontal healing period, the risks of periodontal progression and current thinking about maintenance programmes. It thus attempts to establish some guidelines that practitioners may use when calculating recall intervals. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The choice of individual, patient-focused recall intervals is essential to limit disease progression and maintain healthy periodontal tissues.

Effect of smoking on the results of a chlorhexidine digluconate treatment extended up to 3 months after scaling and root planing-a pilot study.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the impact of smoking on a prolongated chlorhexidine digluconate regimen after scaling and root planing. Forty-two smokers (test group) and 85 nonsmoking patients (control group) with generalized chronic periodontitis were examined for clinical attachment level (CAL), probing depth (PD), bleeding on probing (BoP), and Plaque Index (Pl) at baseline and after 1 and 3 months. During scaling and root planing, a 0.2% chlorhexidine digluconate solution and a 1% chlorhexidine digluconate gel were used. The subjects used a 0.2% chlorhexidine digluconate solution twice daily for 3 months. The Mann-Whitney U and Wilcoxon tests were used for statistical analysis. There were significant improvements of all studied variables after 1 and 3 months in both groups. After 3 months, the mean improvement in the test group was 1.62 mm for CAL, 2.85 mm for PD, and 48% for BoP; in the control group, the values were 2.18 mm for CAL, 2.81 mm for PD, and 47% for BoP. Only the maximum changes of CAL between 1 and 3 months (test group, 0.32 mm vs 0.69 mm in the control group) and PD (test group, 0.47 mm vs 0.76 mm in the control group) were significantly different between the groups (P < .05 and P = .05, respectively). The present data appear to suggest that the use of chlorhexidine digluconate twice daily during a period of 3 months following nonsurgical periodontal therapy may result in significant clinical improvements in smokers and nonsmokers.