Efficacy of communicating periodontal risk on psychological outcomes and supragingival plaque control in patients undergoing first periodontal consultation: A parallel-arm, randomized trial.

AIM: To evaluate the efficacy of the PerioRisk prognostic tool in implementing the effect of motivational interviewing (MI) on psychological outcomes and supragingival plaque control. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Participants underwent MI immediately after their first periodontal visit. According to a parallel-arm, randomized study design, MI was performed with (RISK group) or without (CTR group) information on PerioRisk level and treatment goals based on PerioRisk output. Psychological outcomes were assessed using the Positive Affect Negative Affect Scale (PANAS) and Protection Motivation Theory (PMT). Plaque index (PI) was re-evaluated after 8-12 weeks. RESULTS: Significant improvements in PMT overall score and PI were observed in CTR and RISK groups, without inter-group difference in PANAS and PMT overall scores and PI. A sub-analysis showed that the overall PMT scores recorded immediately after MI in both CTR and RISK groups for subjects with no tooth loss due to periodontitis were higher than those recorded before MI in subjects with tooth loss due to periodontitis. CONCLUSIONS: At first periodontal visit, MI (implemented with without PerioRisk) has tangible effects on psychological outcomes and supragingival plaque control and seems to anticipate the awareness that is commonly generated by periodontitis-related tooth loss (ClinicalTrials.gov protocol registration ID: NCT05078411).

Efficacy of the additional use of subgingival air-polishing with erythritol powder in the treatment of periodontitis patients: a randomized controlled clinical trial. Part II: effect on sub-gingival microbiome.

OBJECTIVES: To date, scarce evidence exists around the application of subgingival air-polishing during treatment of severe periodontitis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect on the health-related and periodontitis-related subgingival microbiome of air-polishing during non-surgical treatment of deep bleeding pockets in stage III-IV periodontitis patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty patients with stage III-IV periodontitis were selected, and pockets with probing depth (PD) 5-9 mm and bleeding on probing were selected as experimental sites. All patients underwent a full-mouth session of erythritol powder supragingival air-polishing and ultrasonic instrumentation. Test group received additional subgingival air-polishing at experimental sites. Subgingival microbial samples were taken from the maxillary experimental site showing the deepest PD at baseline. Primary outcome of the first part of the present study was the 3-month change in the number of experimental sites. Additional analysis of periodontal pathogens and other sub-gingival plaque bacteria sampled at one experimental site at baseline and 3 months following treatment was performed through a real-time quantitative PCR microarray. RESULTS: In the test group, a statistical increase of some health-related species was observed (Abiotropha defectiva, Capnocytophaga sputigena, and Lautropia mirabilis), together with the decrease of pathogens such as of Actinomyces israelii, Catonella morbi, Filifactor alocis, Porphyromonas endodontalis, Sele-nomonas sputigena, Tannerella forsythia, Treponema denticola, and Treponema socranskii. In the control group, statistical significance was found only in the decrease of Filifactor alocis, Tannerella forsythia, and Treponema socranskii. CONCLUSIONS: The addition of erythritol-chlorhexidine powder seems to cause a shift of the periodontal micro-biome toward a more eubiotic condition compared to a conventional treatment. The study was registered on Clinical Trials.gov (NCT04264624). CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Subgingival air-polishing could help re-establishing a eubiotic microbioma in deep bleeding periodontal pockets after initial non-surgical treatment.

No benefit of an adjunctive phototherapy protocol in treatment of periodontitis: A split-mouth randomized controlled trial.

AIM: To assess the efficacy of a commercially available adjunctive phototherapy protocol ("Perio-1") in treatment of periodontitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In an examiner-blind, randomized, controlled, split-mouth, multicentre study, 60 periodontitis patients received root surface debridement (RSD) in sextants either alone (control sextants) or with the adjunctive phototherapy protocol (test sextants). Re-evaluation was performed at 6, 12 and 24 weeks. RESULTS: No statistically significant differences in mean (± standard deviation) clinical attachment level (CAL) change from baseline to week 24 were observed between test (-1.00 ± 1.16 mm) and control sextants (-0.87 ± 0.79 mm) at sites with probing pocket depths (PPDs) ≥5 mm ("deep sites") at baseline (p = .212). Comparisons between test and control sextants for all other parameters (CAL change at all sites, PPD change at deep sites/all sites, bleeding on probing, plaque scores), and for all change intervals, failed to identify any statistically significant differences. CONCLUSIONS: The phototherapy protocol did not provide any additional clinical benefits over those achieved by RSD alone. (German Clinical Trials Register DRKS00011229).

Efficacy of the additional use of subgingival air polishing with erythritol powder in the treatment of periodontitis patients: a randomized controlled clinical trial.

OBJECTIVES: To date, scarce evidence exists around the application of subgingival air polishing during treatment of severe periodontitis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the benefits of subgingival air polishing during non-surgical treatment of deep bleeding pockets in stages III-IV periodontitis patients MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty patients with stages III-IV periodontitis were selected, and pockets with probing depth (PD) 5-9 mm and bleeding on probing (BoP) were selected as experimental sites. All patients underwent a full-mouth session of erythritol powder supragingival air polishing and ultrasonic instrumentation. Test group received additional subgingival air polishing at experimental sites. The proportion of experimental sites shifting to PD ≤ 4 mm and no BoP at 3 months (i.e., non-bleeding closed pockets, NBCPs) was regarded as the primary outcome variable. RESULTS: The proportion of NBCP was comparable between test and control group (47.9 and 44.7%, respectively). Baseline PD of 7-9 mm, multi-rooted teeth and the presence of plaque negatively influenced the probability of obtaining NBCP. CONCLUSIONS: The additional application of subgingival air polishing does not seem to provide any significant clinical advantage in achieving closure at moderate to deep bleeding pockets in treatment of stages III-IV periodontitis patients. The study was registered on Clinical Trials.gov (NCT04264624). CLINICAL RELEVANCE: While air polishing can play a role in biofilm removal at supragingival and shallow sites, ultrasonic root surface debridement alone is still the choice for initial treatment of deep bleeding periodontal pockets.

Clinical efficacy of a chlorhexidine-based mouthrinse containing hyaluronic acid and an antidiscoloration system in patients undergoing flap surgery: A triple-blind, parallel-arm, randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the postsurgery gingival healing as well as plaque, gingival inflammation and staining levels following the use of a 0.2% chlorhexidine (CHX) solution with or without antidiscoloration system (ADS) and 0.2% hyaluronic acid (HA). METHODS: Patients undergoing flap surgery at sites with an intact or reduced but healthy periodontium participated in a parallel-arm RCT. After surgery, patients used the assigned mouthrinse (CHX + HA + ADS or CHX) for 21 days. At days 7 and 21, the healing process was evaluated at experimental teeth using a composite index, namely the Gingival Healing Index (GHI). GHI score was obtained as the sum of the scores related to the severity of wound dehiscence (score 1-3) and the profile of the buccal and oral aspects of the papilla (score 1-3). Therefore, GHI ranged from 2 (worst quality of healing) to 6 (optimal quality of healing). Plaque Index (PlI), Gingival Index (GI), angulated bleeding score (AngBS), and tooth and tongue staining were also assessed. RESULTS: In both groups, GHI assumed values of 5 or 6 at both days 7 and 21 in ≥50% of patients, and low median values of PlI, GI, AngBS and staining were observed during the 21-day period. Except for a significantly lower GI in CHX group at day 7, no other significant intergroup differences were found. CONCLUSIONS: Postsurgery plaque control based on either CHX or CHX + HA + ADS mouthrinses results in optimal plaque control and quality of early gingival healing along with limited tooth and tongue staining.

Microbiological profile and calprotectin expression in naturally occurring and experimentally induced gingivitis.

OBJECTIVES: This study was performed to evaluate the microbiological profile and the calprotectin expression in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) in spontaneous and experimentally induced gingival inflammation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-seven periodontally healthy subjects were evaluated in real life conditions (N-O gingivitis) as well as after 21 days of experimental gingivitis trial (E-I gingivitis). During the experimental gingivitis trial, in one maxillary quadrant (test quadrant), gingival inflammation was induced by oral hygiene abstention, while in the contralateral (control) quadrant, oral hygiene was routinely continued. RESULTS: The results of the study showed that (1) the microbiological profile of quadrants where gingival inflammation was experimentally induced (i.e., E-I test quadrants) differed significantly from that of either quadrants where gingival inflammation was controlled by proper plaque control (i.e., E-I control quadrants) or quadrants with N-O gingivitis, and (2) GCF calprotectin was significantly higher at E-I test quadrants compared to either E-I control quadrants or quadrants with N-O gingivitis. A positive intrasubject correlation was found between GCF concentration of calprotectin at sites presenting N-O and E-I gingivitis. CONCLUSIONS: N-O and E-I gingivitis showed a different microbiological profile of the subgingival environment. GCF calprotectin is a reliable marker of gingival inflammation, and its concentration in N-O gingivitis is correlated with its expression in E-I gingivitis. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The modality of plaque accumulation seems to affect the subgingival microbiological profile associated with a gingivitis condition. Calprotectin levels in GCF may be regarded as a promising marker of the individual susceptibility to develop gingival inflammation in response to experimentally induced plaque accumulation.

Prevalence of bleeding on probing: a cohort study in a specialist periodontal clinic.

OBJECTIVES: to assess the prevalence and distribution of bleeding on probing (BoP) in a cohort of periodontally diseased patients, evaluate the influence of patient-related predictors on BoP variability, and characterize two subgroups of patients with a significantly different BoP score. METHOD AND MATERIALS: six hundred and one patients were retrospectively included. The percentage of BoP-positive sites was calculated for the entire dentition (%BoPtotal) and within different areas of the dentition. The influence of patient-related predictors on intersubject variability in %BoPtotal was evaluated. Two subgroups of patients, belonging to the lowest (LB, low bleeding) and highest (high bleeding, HB) quartile of patient distribution according to %BoPtotal, were identified. RESULTS: median %BoPtotal was 26.4%, with 99% of the population showing at least one BoP-positive site. %BoPtotal was positively correlated with patient age and number of sites with pocket probing depth (PPD) ⋝ 5 mm, and significantly more prevalent in mandibular vs maxillary sites, posterior vs anterior sites, interproximal vs oral/buccal sites, and sites with PPD ⋝ 5 mm vs PPD ⋜ 4 mm. LB and HB patients were significantly different for %BoPtotal, as well as in sites with PPD ⋜ 4 mm and PPD ⋝ 5 mm, but not for sex, age, smoking status, daily cigarette consumption, diabetic status, and number of sites with PPD ⋝ 5 mm. CONCLUSIONS: BoP was highly prevalent and variable in both patients and different areas of the dentition; patient-related factors and site-specific characteristics (such as age, number of periodontal pockets, probing depth, tooth type, and aspects) seem to be partly responsible for the individual variation in BoP; and HB and LB were not significantly different with respect to the investigated predictors.

Clinical and microbiological effects of mechanical instrumentation and local antimicrobials during periodontal supportive therapy in aggressive periodontitis patients: smoker versus non-smoker patients.

AIM: To compare the clinical and microbiological effects of ultrasonic mechanical instrumentation (UMI) associated to home-care use of amine fluoride/stannous fluoride (AmF/SnF(2) )-containing mouthrinse and toothpaste in smoker and non-smoker patients affected by generalized aggressive periodontitis (G-AgP) during a recall session of supportive periodontal therapy (SPT). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Thirteen smokers and 25 non-smokers G-AgP patients enrolled in an SPT programme received a single session of UMI associated with home-care use of AmF/SnF(2) -containing mouthrinse and toothpaste. Clinical and microbiological parameters were assessed pre-treatment, at 6 and 12 weeks post-treatment. RESULTS: In both groups, UMI plus AmF/SnF(2) -implemented oral hygiene use determined a significant decrease of total bacterial counts, with non-smokers exhibiting a lower count compared with smokers at 12 weeks. No significant differences were observed between smokers and non-smokers in the counts of total pathogens and red complex species at each observation interval. Clinically, a significant reduction of supragingival plaque, gingival inflammation and probing pocket depth was similarly observed in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: A combined mechanical/chemical plaque control approach based on UMI and the use of AmF/SnF(2) agents resulted in the reduction of supragingival plaque deposits, gingival inflammation and subgingival periodontal pathogens in G-AgP patients during SPT, with no substantial difference between smokers and non-smokers.

Adjunctive effect of chlorhexidine in ultrasonic instrumentation of aggressive periodontitis patients: a pilot study.

AIM: The aim of the present pilot randomized clinical trial was to evaluate the effects of ultrasonic mechanical instrumentation (UMI) associated with the professional use of chlorhexidine (CHX) formulations compared with UMI alone during periodontal supportive therapy in patients with generalized aggressive periodontis (G-AgP). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Nine patients (test group) received a single session of UMI associated with subgingival irrigation under cavitation with CHX 0.02%. A 0.2% CHX solution was used for professional tongue brushing and mouthrinsing. Ten patients (control group) received a similar session of UMI associated with subgingival irrigation and professional tongue brushing and mouthrinsing with a control formulation. Clinical and microbiological parameters were assessed pre-treatment at 3, 6 and 12 weeks post-treatment. RESULTS: UMI either with or without additional CHX use determined a significant reduction of supragingival plaque and gingival inflammation as well as a significant reduction of subgingival bacterial pathogens. The additional use of CHX did not result in any additional clinical and microbiological benefit with respect to mere UMI. CONCLUSIONS: The adjunctive professional use of CHX formulations to UMI seems to produce no additional effects over UMI alone during supportive therapy in G-AgP patients.

Evaluation of additional amine fluoride/stannous fluoride-containing mouthrinse during supportive therapy in patients with generalized aggressive periodontitis. A randomized, crossover, double-blind, controlled trial.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of the present randomized controlled trial was to evaluate the efficacy of a mouthrinse containing a combination of AmF/SnF2 in controlling supragingival plaque accumulation and gingival inflammation during a 12-week period in patients affected by generalized aggressive periodontitis (GAP). METHODS: Eighteen subjects, six males and 12 females, mean age: 32.2 years, were evaluated. One-half of the patients was either prescribed an AmF/SnF2-containing mouthrinse (test mouthrinse) or a control mouthrinse in addition to mechanical plaque control for 12 weeks. After a 2-week wash-out period, the patients received the alternative mouthrinse. Before and after treatment plaque index (PlI), gingival index (GI), angulated bleeding index (AngBI), tooth stain (GMSI), and tongue stain were recorded. RESULTS: Test mouthrinse resulted in a statistically significant decrease in PlI (p = 0.029) and GI (p = 0.017). After treatment, PlI was significantly lower in test compared to control mouthrinse (p = 0.027). GMSI significantly increased post-treatment for both mouthrinse regimens (p < 0.001), a significantly higher score being observed for the test compared to control mouthrinse (p = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: The 12-week use of a AmF/SnF2-containing mouthrinse as an adjunct to conventional mechanical oral hygiene procedures in GAP patients was effective in controlling the amount of supragingival plaque deposits.