Alveolar bone regeneration pattern following surgical and non-surgical treatment in juvenile periodontitis

One hundred and fifty six interproximal sites, with periodontal pockets deeper than 5mm and showing loss of bone on standard dental periapical radiographs, were treated by subgingival instrumentation and open periodontal flap debridement in 12 patients properly motivated and given thorough oral hygiene instructions. The indices of gingival condition, plaque, calculus, oral hygiene and degree of mobility with loss of attachment were measured at baseline, 1,3 and 6 months after treatment. Standardized reproducible radiographs of the interproximal sites were taken before and 6 months after treatment. Alveolar bone levels pre and post treatment were measured with a grid in square millimetres using a view box (Watson and sons, London) and the Dunning and Leach gingival bone count index for both treatment procedures. Radiographic analysis showed statistically and clinically significant increases in bone fill of both the superficial and deep bone defects for the surgical technique (p < 0.05). This study has shown that surgical procedure resulted in a better bone regeneration than subgingival instrumentation.