Jan Egelberg

Effect of non-surgical periodontal therapy. (IV). Operator variability

Healing following non-surgical periodontal therapy was studied and the results of instrumentation performed by 6 operators compared. Incisors, cuspids and premolars with periodontal pockets up to 11 mm deep in 20 patients were treated by plaque control and a single episode of supra- and subgingival debridement. A split-mouth approach was used to compare the participating therapists. The effects of the therapy were monitored using changes in plaque score, bleeding score, probing pocket depth and probing attachment level. Marked improvement, similar to that seen in previous studies evaluating non-surgical therapy was noted during the initial 6-9 months. No further changes of the recorded parameters could be observed during the rest of the 24-month observation period. Differences between sites treated by the various operators were negligible. Thus, it appears, that deep periodontal pockets in incisors, cuspids and premolars may be successfully treated by plaque control and 1 episode of instrumentation and that operator variability may be limited.

Recovery of putative pathogens from paper point sampling at different depths of periodontal lesions

Background The aim of this study was to compare the recovery of three putative periodontal pathogens from periodontal lesions in samples using paper points inserted to different depths of the lesions. Methods Twenty 6–8 mm deep periodontal lesions with bleeding on probing were studied. Microbial samples were obtained using paper points inserted to three different depths of the lesions: orifice of lesion; 2 mm into the lesion; and to the base of lesion. Culturing was used for recovery and identification of Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans, Porphyromonas gingivalis, and Prevotella intermedia. Results The recovery of each of the three putative periodontal pathogens was similar following sampling at the various depths of the lesions. Conclusions The findings may be explained by the fact that the paper points become saturated as they pass through the orifice of the lesion. Absorption of microorganisms will therefore primarily occur at the orifice. It is also conceivable that the pathogens may be present in similar proportions throughout the various depths of the periodontal lesions.