Professional tooth cleaning prior to non-surgical periodontal therapy: A randomized clinical trial

This study was aimed to investigate if professional oral prophylaxis before scaling and root planing (SRP) has an effect on the outcome of non-surgical periodontal treatment in patients with chronic periodontitis.

Fifty-two individuals with chronic periodontitis receiving non-surgical periodontal therapy by SRP with (test) and without (control) two appointments of professional tooth cleaning but with motivation and instruction were monitored for clinical variables, four selected microorganisms and two biomarkers at baseline, before SRP as well as 3 and 6 months after SRP. Statistical analysis included non-parametric tests for intra- and intergroup comparisons.

Probing depth (PD), attachment level, bleeding on probing (BOP), and interproximal plaque index (API) were significantly improved in both groups 3 and 6 months after SRP. PD, BOP, API, and the number of sites with PD ≥5 mm were significantly lower in the test group than in the control group at the appointment immediately before SRP. Tannerella forsythia was significantly reduced in both groups at 3 and 6 months, Porphyromonas gingivalis only in the test group. Interleukin-1β was significantly reduced in the control group 3 and 6 months after SRP, matrix metalloproteinase-8 level decreased in the test group 3 months after SRP. There was no significant difference of any clinical and non-clinical variable between both groups at 3 and 6 months after SRP.

Professional tooth cleaning before the SRP does not improve the clinical results of the SRP. It has no obvious long-lasting effects on major periodontopathogens in the subgingival biofilm as well as on biomarkers in the gingival crevicular fluid after SRP.