The effect of splinting on tooth mobility. (2) After osseous surgery

Area of Science:

• Periodontology
• Dental Surgery
• Restorative Dentistry

Background:

• Chronic destructive periodontitis often leads to tooth mobility.
• Osseous surgery aims to restore periodontal support.
• The role of fixed splinting in post-surgical periodontal therapy requires investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of fixed intraoral splinting compared to unsplinted teeth.
• To assess the impact of splinting on tooth mobility, bone level, and attachment level following osseous surgery.

Main Methods:

• A split-mouth design was employed in ten patients with bilateral chronic destructive periodontitis.
• Maxillary sextants were either fixed splinted or left unsplinted, with both treated surgically.
• Tooth mobility, bone levels, and gingival attachment levels were measured pre- and post-surgery.

Main Results:

• Tooth mobility initially increased post-surgery but returned to presurgical levels by 24 weeks in both splinted and unsplinted segments.
• Fixed splinting did not significantly reduce individual tooth mobility.
• No significant differences in bone or gingival attachment levels were observed between splinted and unsplinted segments.

Conclusions:

• Fixed intraoral splinting provides no discernible benefit over unsplinted teeth in managing tooth mobility post-osseous surgery.
• Osseous surgery outcomes regarding bone and attachment levels are not enhanced by fixed splinting.
• Further research may explore alternative splinting modalities or adjunctive therapies.