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Effect of subgingival scaling during supportive therapy
W M Jenkins1, S H Said, M Radvar
1Unit of Adult Dental Care, University of Glasgow Dental Hospital and School, UK.
Journal of Clinical Periodontology
|August 26, 2000
Summary
Regular subgingival scaling every three months did not significantly improve periodontal health in patients with persistent periodontitis. These findings question the routine use of this intervention for ongoing disease management.
Area of Science:
- Periodontology
- Dental Therapeutics
Background:
- Periodontitis management often requires ongoing treatment for persistent disease.
- Conventional periodontal therapy may not fully resolve disease in all patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of root débridement every three months for periodontitis patients with persistent disease.
- To compare coronal scaling (CS) versus subgingival scaling (SS) in managing refractory periodontitis.
Main Methods:
- A prospective study compared CS and SS in 31 maintenance patients over 12 months.
- Outcome measures included probing depths (PD), bleeding on probing (BOP), and relative attachment levels (RAL).
- Subgingival débridement was performed routinely in the SS group and only for 'loser' sites in the CS group.
Main Results:
- No significant differences in the proportion of 'loser' sites between the CS and SS groups.
- No significant improvements in PD, RAL, or BOP from baseline or between groups.
- Plaque scores at 12 months were similar between the two treatment groups.
Conclusions:
- Repeated subgingival scaling at three-month intervals offers no significant benefit for patients with persistent periodontitis.
- The clinical value of frequent, intensive subgingival débridement in refractory cases is questionable.