Efficacy of bone-fill favoring treatment on juvenile periodontitis

In this study we evaluated the effect of bone-fill favoring mechanical treatment on the marginal bone level and periodontal pockets of juvenile periodontitis patients. A total of 10 patients (3 men and 7 women) 13-29 yr of age were treated until no gingivitis or periodontal pockets were present. The intensive therapy (3-8 wk) included scaling, curettage and modified Widman flaps. The maintenance therapy comprised 4 recall visits during the first year after therapy and 2-5 visits per year thereafter. The efficacy of the therapy was evaluated by radiologic measurements of bony defects (%) 12 and 16-65 months after the treatment. The results showed a significant improvement both 1 yr after treatment and at the end of the study. The bone loss was 10.1% less than prior to the treatment and no sites with new bone loss were found after therapy in any of the patients. The bulk of healing took place during the first year after the active therapy, while some further improvement was detected thereafter. Our results show that non-resective mechanical treatment allows excellent healing and regeneration of JP lesions. Our findings also suggest that an adequate follow-up period is needed before definite conclusions can be drawn about the efficacy of the treatment procedures used.