At least 3 years of self-responsibility for periodontal care after 2 years of supportive periodontal therapy

Abstract

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the periodontal condition when patients became self-responsible for the continuation of periodontal care, after non-surgical periodontal therapy and 2 years of Supportive Periodontal Therapy (SPT).

Materials and methods: Fifty-seven patients completed a previous 2-year SPT study and were afterward advised to seek for dental assistance for maintenance care. After 4.2 ± 0.45 years of self-responsibility for periodontal care (SRPC), 27 patients could be re-examined of which 9 patients had followed the advice to turn to a dental professional for SPT care. Visible Plaque (VPI), Gingival Bleeding (GBI), Periodontal Probing Depth (PPD), Bleeding on probing (BOP), and Clinical Attachment Loss (CAL) were obtained from SPT study: before and after non-surgical treatment, and after 2 years of SPT. The same parameters were reassessed for the present study. General linear models for repeated measures were used for data analysis.

Results: At the end of the SRPC period, mean GBI, BOP, and PPD values (43.5%, 55.7%, 2.76 mm, respectively) were back to pre-treatment, whereas VPI (64.3%) and CAL (3.76 mm) became significantly higher. The percentage of sites with PPD ≥5 mm as well as sites with CAL ≥4 or ≥5 mm also returned to pre-treatment values. However, the percentage of sites with PPD ≥4 mm was still significantly lower compared to pre-treatment values but higher than after 2 years of SPT.

Conclusions: Self-responsibility for the continuation of periodontal care after professional treatment should be avoided.

Clinical relevance: Clinicians and specialists must be conscious of making all efforts to maintain the patient's frequent recalls.

Keywords: Dental plaque; Follow-up study; Long-term care; Periodontitis; Supportive periodontal therapy.