Influence of smoking on the outcome of periodontal surgery

Abstract. The 5-year outcome following periodontal surgery was evaluated in 57 patients that had received regular maintenance care throughout the follow-up period. The study population included 20 smokers, 20 former smokers and 17 non-smokers in the age range 37–77 years. The clinical characteristics evaluated were supragingival plaque, gingival bleeding and pocket probing depth. The region assigned for surgery was, in addition, radiographically evaluated in terms of periodontal bone height. Furthermore, the occurrence of the periopathogens Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans (Aa), Porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg) and Prevotella intermedia (Pi) and the gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) levels of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) were assessed at follow-up. Plaque index was 28.5% at baseline and 32.9% at follow-up, indicating a good standard of oral hygiene, and gingival bleeding 31.7% and 24.9%, respectively, suggesting a low to moderate level of gingival inflammation. In regions assigned for surgery, pocket probing depth decreased significantly from on average 5.6 mm to 4.3 mm ( p <0.0001) and periodontal bone height increased significantly from on average 62.5% to 67.5% ( p <0.0001). In terms of bone height, the outcome was less favorable among smokers compared with non-smokers. There was a predominance of smokers among patients exhibiting loss of bone height after the 5 years of maintenance. No significant associations were found between the therapeutical outcome and supragingival plaque or subgingival occurrence of periopathogens. The associations between GCF levels of TNF-α and probing depth and bone height were unclear, whereas the level of TNF-α was significantly elevated in smokers.     

Bleeding on probing and probing depth as indicators of the response to plaque control and root debridement

19 adult periodontitis patients were treated with plaque control and a single episode of root debridement. Results of this treatment were monitored in non-molar sites, molar flat surface sites, and molar furcation sites by probing attachment level measurements every 3rd month for 24 months. After 24 months, sites with probing attachment loss were identified using linear regression analysis. Clinical scores for supragingival plaque, bleeding on probing, suppuration on probing, and probing depth, obtained from these sites during the 24-month study, were analyzed to determine if they could be used diagnostically as indicators of probing attachment loss. The results demonstrated that the diagnostic accuracy for these clinical indicators was generally low at all 3 anatomical site locations. A possible explanation for this limited diagnostic accuracy may be that some areas of probing attachment loss following basic periodontal therapy are caused by factors other than the progression of an inflammatory periodontal disease of microbial etiology.     

Absence of bleeding on probing An indicator of periodontal stability

Following active periodontal therapy, 41 patients were incorporated in a maintenance program for 2 1/2 years with recall intervals varying between 2-6 months. At the beginning of each maintenance visit, the periodontal tissues were evaluated using "bleeding on probing" (BOP). Reinstrumentation was only performed at sites which bled on probing. However, supragingival plaque and calculus was always removed. Pocket probing depths and probing attachment levels were recorded after active treatment and at the conclusion of the study. Progression of periodontal disease was defined by an observed loss of probing attachment of greater than or equal to 2 mm. The reliability of the BOP test as a predictor was evaluated by calculating sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, and positive and negative predictive values. While only a 29% sensitivity was calculated for frequent bleeding, the specificity was 88%. The fact that the positive predictive value for disease progression was only 6% and the negative predictive value was 98% renders continuous absence of BOP a reliable predictor for the maintenance of periodontal health.     

Effect of nonsurgical periodontal therapy

Incisors, cuspids and premolars in 49 patients with advanced chronic periodontitis were treated with initial, nonsurgical periodontal therapy. The results were monitored by probing attachment level measurements for 6 sites of each tooth every 3rd month during a period of 24 months. Amongst sites with initial probing depth greater than or equal to 4.0 mm, sites with probing attachment loss were identified using regression analysis. Scores for plaque, bleeding, suppuration on probing and probing depth, obtained for these sites during the 24-month study, were analyzed to determine whether any of the scores could be used diagnostically as an indicator of probing attachment loss. Diagnostic sensitivity and predictability were calculated for different levels of each of the scores. The results showed that sites with probing attachment loss were more frequent for sites with high scores for plaque, bleeding, residual probing depth and suppuration than in sites with low scores. However, the diagnostic sensitivity and predictability of these clinical indicators was generally low. Thus, records of plaque, bleeding, suppuration and probing depth do not obviate the need for probing attachment level measurements for identification of sites with probing attachment loss following initial, nonsurgical periodontal therapy.     

Bleeding on probing. A parameter for monitoring periodontal conditions in clinical practice

Abstract. The present study is a follow-up report on the use of bleeding on probing (BOP) as a clinical indicator for disease progression or periodontal stability, respectively. Following active periodontal therapy, 39 patients were incorporated in a program of supportive periodontal therapy for a period of 53 months with recall intervals varying between 2–8 months. The patients received supportive therapy 7 to 14 ×. At the beginning of each maintenance visit, the tissues were evaluated using BOP. Reinstrumentation was only performed at sites which bled on probing. However, supragingival plaque and calculus were always removed. Probing depth and probing attachment levels were determined after active treatment and at the conclusion of the study. Progression of periodontal disease was defined by a measured loss of probing attachment of 2 mm or more. During the observation period, 4.2% of all the sites lost attachment. Approximately 50% of these losses were due to periodontal disease progression, while the other half was the result of attachment loss in conjunction with recession of the gingiva. 2/3 of all the sites which lost attachment were found in a group of patients which presented a mean BOP 30%. In a group of patients-with a mean BOP of 20%, only 1/5 of the loser sites were found. This clearly indicated, that patients with a mean BOP of 20% have a significantly lower risk for further loss of probing attachment at single sites.     

Multivariate multilevel models for repeated measures in the study of smoking effects on the association between plaque and gingival bleeding

Multivariate multilevel modeling was applied to analyze repeated measures data on the influence of heavy smoking on the association between the amount of supragingival plaque and gingival bleeding on probing (BOP) in a steady-state plaque environment. Data acquired in 65 systemically healthy young adults with mild plaque-induced gingivitis were analyzed. 33 heavy smokers consumed at least 20 cigarettes per day while 32 were non-smokers. Periodontal examinations at the outset consisted of periodontal probing depth, clinical attachment level, BOP, plaque index, and presence of calculus at 6 sites of every tooth present. They were repeated 3 times every 8 weeks. A multivariate 4-level variance component model revealed that the odds of BOP was twice as high in smokers. In addition, females had a lower likelihood for BOP but, with increasing bleeding scores during the course of the study, this effect attenuated. Low biserial correlations for BOP at the site level of between 0.11 and 0.2 were found. At the tooth level, correlations were moderate (0.2–0.5), and highest at the subject level (0.8–0.9). Variations at subject and tooth levels were very large at the outset but notably attenuated in the course of the study. Plaque consistently influenced the tendency for BOP with an odds ratio of about 1.7–1.8 for each increase in score in both smokers and non-smokers. The present study did not reveal evidence for attenuation of the plaque/gingival bleeding relationship in heavy smokers.     

The effect of non-surgical treatment on periodontal pockets in smokers and non-smokers

Abstract. Changes in probing pocket depth following non-surgical periodontal treatment were investigated in 75 patients, 40 of whom were heavy smokers. Pockets with an initial probing depth of 4–6 mm were studied. The treatment consisted of patient instruction and motivation and debridement of plaque and calculus by hand instrumentation. The treatment was completed within 5 months and probing depth was recorded prior to and 1 month following the completion of therapy. Plaque index was reduced to a minimum in both smokers (P1I = 0.2) and non-smokers (P1I = 0.1) following treatment. An average reduction in probing pocket depth of 1.1 mm in smokers and 1.2 mm in non-smokers was observed. The reduction attained was less in smokers than in non-smokers for all regions of the dentition investigated. The greatest difference between groups was observed for the maxillary anterior region.     

Clinical indicators of probing attachment loss following initial periodontal treatment in advanced periodontitis patients

Abstract. 16 advanced periodontitis patients were subjected to initial periodontal treatment and monitored every 3rd month during 42 months. Clinical characteristics tit baseline and during the 42-month maintenance period were investigated for their association with probing attachment loss over the 42-month period, both on a patient level and on a site level. On a patient level , averaged full-mouth plaque and bleeding on probing scores over the maintenance interval showed little association with probing attachment loss. Little association was also observed for % sites with depth ≥6 mm at baseline. However, a notable relationship was seen for % sites ≥6 mm at 3 months. This finding initiated a separation of the 16 subjects into 2 groups based upon % sites ≥6 mm at 3 months (groups' high 'and' low'). Site level analyses for these groups showed little association between frequent presence of plaque at the sites over the maintenance interval and probing attachment loss. Frequent bleeding on probing showed limited relationship with attachment loss for group 'low', but an appreciable association for group'high". The findings suggest that advanced periodontitis patients with multiple residual probing depths a6 mm at re-evaluation run a greater risk of developing sites with additional attachment loss than patients with few such residual depths. For such higher risk patients, bleeding on probing at maintenance examinations may be a useful indicator of subsequent deterioration at a site level.     

Longitudinal association between plaque and gingival bleeding in smokers and non-smokers

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Whereas accumulation of dentogingival plaque inevitably leads to inflammatory reactions in the adjacent gingival tissue, there is limited information with regard to factors influencing naturally occurring fluctuation between gingival health and disease. The major aims of the present study were to investigate site-specific associations between plaque and gingivitis as well as transition dynamics of naturally occurring gingivitis in smoking and non-smoking young adults. METHODS: 65 systemically healthy young adults, 19 to 30 years old, participated. 33 volunteers smoked at least 20 cigarettes per day, whereas 32 subjects were non-smokers. Clinical periodontal conditions were assessed four times within a time period of 6 months. An ecological approach in data analysis as well as site-specific analyses considering the correlated structure of data were performed. RESULTS: At the outset and after 6 months, smokers had significantly more supragingival plaque than non-smokers. At the final examination, bleeding upon probing as well as calculus were more prevalent in smokers. A site-by-site analysis revealed that smokers tended to have a weaker association between supragingival plaque and bleeding on probing than non-smokers (median Mantel-Haenszel's common odds ratio 1.91 vs. 2.89, p=0.07). Multiple logistic regression analyses adjusted for periodontal probing depth, plaque and calculus identified smoking status to significantly increase the risk for the first transition of non-bleeding to bleeding upon probing by 86% (p<0.01). In contrast, recovery of bleeding sites was positively influenced by female gender, but not smoking. CONCLUSIONS: In multivariate analyses adjusted for probing depth, plaque and calculus, smokers appeared to be at higher risk for the transition from non-bleeding to bleeding on probing. Weaker associations between plaque and naturally occurring gingivitis in smokers may have important consequences for preventive strategies for gingivitis.     

Diagnostic predictability of scores of plaque, bleeding, suppuration and probing depth for probing attachment loss

Recordings of supragingival plaque, bleeding, suppuration and probing depth were obtained for 42 months following initial periodontal therapy. Scores accumulated after various time intervals during monitoring were studied for their predictive value in revealing probing attachment loss as determined by regression analysis during the 0-42 month period. Accumulated plaque scores demonstrated low predictability. Accumulated bleeding scores showed modest predictive values. Suppuration on probing was not a frequent finding during the observation interval and also had modest predictive power. Increase in probing depth compared to baseline and deep residual probing depth had modest predictability after 3 and 12 months, but showed increasing accuracy in revealing probing attachment loss over later time intervals. After a few years of maintenance, increase in probing depth, particularly if combined with high frequency of bleeding on probing, showed the highest predictive value for probing attachment loss of the scores examined.     

The efficacy of non-surgical and systemic antibiotic treatment on smoking and non-smoking periodontitis patients

In 28 adult severe periodontitis patients who did not respond to conventional periodontal therapy, full mouth clinical parameters including probing pocket depth, relative attachment level, bleeding on probing and suppuration after probing, visible plaque index and modified gingival index were recorded at the baseline and 14 months after treatment. Based on clinical and bacteriological diagnosis, a combination of systemic amoxicillin 500 mg x 3 and metronidazole 200 mg x 2 was prescribed for 7 days. In combination with non-surgical treatment, systemic antibiotic therapy, significantly improved median values of probing pocket depth, bleeding on probing, suppuration index, visible plaque index and modified gingival index except relative attachment level. Despite the improvement of clinical parameters in general, both bleeding on probing and suppuration index had significantly lower reduction in smokers than in non-smokers.     

Evaluation of gingival suppuration and supragingival plaque following 4 modalities of periodontal therapy

This study evaluated the effect of coronal scaling (CS), root planing (RP), modified Widman surgery (MW) and flap with osseous resectional surgery (FO) upon the presence of gingival suppuration and supragingival plaque. 75 patients completed split-mouth therapy and 2 years of maintenance care. Data were collected prior to the initiation of therapy, following initial therapy, following surgical therapy and yearly during 2 years of maintenance care. All 4 types of therapy reduced the prevalence of suppuration with RP, MW and FO producing a greater reduction than CS in sites greater than or equal to 5 mm. Sites were grouped according to presence of suppuration at 2 consecutive examinations. The mean changes in probing depth and probing attachment level for each time period were compared. Sites that began to suppurate between 2 exams or were suppurating at both exams had a less favorable response in mean probing depth reduction and mean probing attachment gain when compared to sites that stopped suppurating between exams or did not suppurate at either exam. The prevalence of supragingival plaque decreased during active therapy and 2 years of maintenance. There was no difference in the prevalence between the therapy groups except for FO-treated sites showing more plaque accumulation after surgical therapy. The presence or absence of supragingival plaque at specific sites was dynamic, frequently converting to a new status between 2 examinations.     

EVALUATION OF CLINICAL PERIODONTAL CONDITIONS IN SMOKERS AND NON-SMOKERS

Given that tobacco smoking habit is a risk factor for periodontal diseases, the aim of this study was to compare clinical periodontal aspects between smokers and non-smokers. The clinical status were assessed in 55 patients, 29 smokers and 26 non-smokers, aged 30 to 50 years, with mean age of 40. The clinical parameters used were: probing depth (PD), plaque index (PI), gingival index (GI), clinical attachment level (CAL), gingival recession (GR) and gingival bleeding index (GBI) for arches (upper and lower) and teeth (anterior and posterior). Tooth loss was also evaluated in both groups. Multiple regression analysis showed: tendency of greater probing depth and clinical attachment level means for smokers; greater amount of plaque in smokers in all regions; greater gingival index means for non-smokers with clinical significance (p<0.05) in all regions. Although, without statistical significance, the analysis showed greater gingival bleeding index means almost always for non-smokers; similar gingival recession means in both groups and tendency of upper tooth loss in smokers and lower tooth loss in non-smokers. The findings of this study showed that clinical periodontal parameters may be different in smokers when compared to non-smokers and that masking of some periodontal signs can be a result of nicotine''s vasoconstrictor effect.     

Clinical characteristics of periodontal sites with probing attachment loss following initial periodontal treatment

Abstract Periodontal sites which had undergone probing attachment loss were identified in 16 advanced periodontitis patients subjected to initial periodontal treatment and monitored every 3rd month for 42 months. Many sites with probing attachment loss showed no increase in probing depth and bled on probing at a few of the examinations during maintenance. Others showed increase in depth, frequent bleeding and suppuration. An arbitrary classification of ‘questionable periodontitis’ sites was used and included sites with the following characteristics: probing depth at 42 months 3.5 mm + bleeding on probing at no more than 5 of the 14 examinations 3-42 months + no suppuration on probing 3-42 months. The % sites in this category ranged from 21-35%, depending upon method used to determine probing attachment loss. Widely varying characteristics of sites identified with probing attachment loss were evident for all surface locations and all subgroups of initial probing depth. From a traditional viewpoint, a significant proportion of the losing sites might not have been afflicted with periodontitis. On the other hand, deterioration does not necessarily have to be coupled with obvious inflammation, particularly following therapy.     

Longitudinal changes in periodontal disease in untreated subjects

About 300 subjects, 20-79 years of age were recruited for a longitudinal study on the effect of periodontal therapy. The result of a baseline examination have been reported earlier. Following this baseline examination, the subjects were monitored for 24 months without therapy. Re-examinations were performed after 12 and 24 months. All teeth including the 3rd molars were included in the examinations. Presence of plaque was assessed at 4 surfaces per tooth and gingivitis, probing pocket depth, probing attachment levels were assessed at 6 locations per tooth. Out of the subject sample examined at baseline, 57 individuals failed to return for either the 1st, the 2nd or both re-examinations. An analysis was performed regarding the periodontal status at baseline, of the respondents and non-respondents. The results from the follow-up examinations of the participating 20 to 79 year-old subjects revealed that the sample underwent, during a 2-year period, only minor changes with respect to a series of different parameters characteristic of periodontal disease. Thus, the mean values of probing pocket depth and probing attachment level failed to change between baseline and the re-examinations after 1 and 2 years. Even if the mean values underwent only minor changes, however, certain subjects within each age category improved their periodontal conditions, whereas other subjects worsened. Furthermore, the findings of the re-examinations revealed that there was a strong correlation between improving plaque levels and gingivitis. The relationship between supragingival plaque levels and changes with respect to probing depth and attachment levels were weak.     

Long-term effect of surgical/non-surgical treatment of periodontal disease

Abstract The present investigation describes the effect of periodontal therapy in a group of patients who, following active treatment, were monitored over a 5-year period. One aim of the study was to analyze the role played by the patients’ self-performed plaque control in preventing recurrent periodontitis. In addition, probing depth and attachment level alterations were studied separately for sites with initial probing depths of 4 mm which were treated initially by either surgical or non-surgical procedures. Following active treatment (surgical/non-surgical), the patients were maintained on a plaque control regimen for 6 months, which included professional tooth cleaning once every 2 weeks. During the subsequent 18 months, the interval between the recall appointments was extended to 12 weeks and included prophylaxis as well as oral hygiene instruction. Following the 24-month examination, the interval between the recall appointments was further extended, now to 4–6 months. In addition, the maintenance program was restricted to oral hygiene instruction and professional, supragingival tooth cleaning, but further subgingival instrumentation was avoided. Clinical examinations including assessments of the oral hygiene, the gingival conditions, the probing depths and the attachment levels were performed at Baseline and after 24 and 60 months after completion of active therapy. Assessments of plaque and gingivitis were repeated annually. The results of the examinations showed that the patients’ standard of self-maintained oral hygiene had a decisive influence on the long-term effect of treatment. Patients who during the 5 years of monitoring consistently had a high frequency of plaque-free tooth surfaces showed little evidence of recurrent periodontal disease, while patients who had a low frequency of plaque-free tooth surfaces had a high frequency of sites showing additional loss of attachment. The present findings demonstrated that sites with an initial pocket depth exceeding 3 mm responded equally well to non-surgical and surgical treatments. This statement is based on probing depth and attachment level data from sites which were free of plaque at the 6-, 12-, 24-, 36-, 48- and 60-month reexaminations. It is suggested that the critical determinant in periodontal therapy is not the technique (surgical or non-surgical) that is used for the elimination of the subgingival infection, but the quality of the debridement of the root surface.     

Relationship of gingival thickness and bleeding to loss of probing attachment in shallow sites following nonsurgical periodontal therapy

Periodontal sites of shallow initial probing depth often seem to lose probing attachment following various types of periodontal therapy, including nonsurgical therapy. The susceptibility to this treatment-associated probing attachment loss may conceivably be related to gingival architecture as well as to the inflammatory status of the tissues. This study was designed to study the relationship of buccolingual gingival thickness and bleeding on probing in shallow buccal sites (less than or equal to 3.5 mm probing depth) to loss of probing attachment following nonsurgical therapy. 3 months following treatment consisting of oral hygiene instruction and supra- and subgingival debridement, thin (less than or equal to 1.5 mm), initially non-bleeding sites displayed a mean loss of probing attachment of 0.3 mm. Thick (greater than or equal to 2.0 mm), non-bleeding sites displayed a less noticeable mean loss of probing attachment, whereas bleeding sites of both categories of gingival thickness showed a tendency towards gains in probing attachment levels. It may be concluded that the mean loss in probing attachment levels, commonly seen for shallow sites post-therapy, may be primarily due to the changes in shallow, thin healthy areas.     

Effect of triclosan on the subgingival microbiota of periodontitis-susceptible subjects

Abstract The present study evaluated the long-term effect of (i) meticulous self-performed, supragingival plaque control and (ii) the use of a triclosan/copolymer containing dentifrice in adult subjects susceptible to destructive periodontitis. 40 individuals were recruited into the trial. 3-5 years prior to the baseline examination, they had all been treated by nonsurgical means- for advanced periodontal disease. During the subsequent maintenance phase, all subjects had at different time intervals exhibited sites with recurrent periodontitis. At a baseline examination. 6 surfaces per tooth were examined regarding bleeding on probing, probing pocket depth, and probing attachment level. The deepest pocket site in each quadrant (i.e. 4 sites per subject) was selected and samples of the subgingival bacteria were taken. At baseline, all volunteers received detailed information on proper oral hygiene techniques. This information was repeated on an individual need basis during the course of the subsequent 36-months. No professional subgingival therapy was delivered between the baseline and the 36-month examinations. The subjects were randomly distributed into 2 equal groups of 20 individuals each, 1 test and 1 control group. The members of the test group were supplied with a fluoridated dentifrice containing triclosan/copolymer (Total®. Colgate), while the controls received a corresponding dentifrice but without triclosan/copolymer. The findings demonstrated that in subjects with advanced and recurrent periodontitis, carefully practiced supragingival plaque control had some effects on the subgingival microbiota, but also that this was insufficient to prevent disease progression. In a corresponding group of subjects, however, who used a triclosan/copolymer dentifrice, the subgingival microbiota was reduced in both quantitative and qualitative terms and recurrent periodontitis was almost entirely prevented.     

Neutrophil elastase activity, levels of prostaglandin E2, and matrix metalloproteinase-8 in refractory periodontitis sites in smokers and non-smokers.

The study was aimed to determine elastase activity, levels of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), and matrix metalloproteinase-8 (MMP-8) in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) in 20 smokers and 20 non-smokers, mean age 47.4 (+/-2.9 SD) years with refractory periodontal diseases. GCF was collected with intracrevicular washing from four sites in each subject. Clinical assessments, included gingival index, probing depth, clinical attachment level, bleeding on probing, bone height, and plaque accumulation. Smokers had a significantly higher percentage of the gingival margin covered by plaque (P%Im), higher number of sites with probing pocket depth > or = 5 mm, higher mean values of probing pocket depth and probing attachment level (P< 0.01). Smokers had significantly higher mean levels of neutrophil elastase activity (P< 0.01) in the supernatants than non-smokers did. In sites with matching pocket depths, neutrophil elastase activity was significantly higher in smokers (P< 0.001) than in non-smokers. In sites with high levels of MMP-8 the PGE2 levels were significantly (P< 0.001) higher compared to sites with low levels in smokers as well as in non-smokers. A significant correlation was found between probing pocket depth and levels of MMP-8 (P< 0.001) and in non-smokers between probing pocket depth and levels of PGE2 (P< 0.05).     

Periodontal healing and periopathogenic microflora in smokers and non-smokers

Abstract The aim of the present study was to monitor the clinical and microbiological effects of non-surgical therapy in smokers and non-smokers. The subject material included 32 patients (age range 32–61 years), 11 men and 21 women with moderate to severe periodontitis. 17 patients were smokers ( l5 cigarettes/day) and 15 non-smokers. All patients were subjected to non-surgical periodontal therapy performed by a dental hygienist. Periodontal variables (plaque index, gingival index and probing depth) were registered and bacterial samples were collected before and 2 months alter treatment. The treatment resulted in significant reductions towards very low plaque and gingival indices in smokers and non-smokers alike (p<0.05). Although probing depth was reduced in both smokers and non-smokers, the probing pocket depth reduction was significantly smaller in smokers than non-smokers (p<0.05). Microbiologically, the same therapeutical efficacy was attained in both smoking groups, indicating an almost total eradication of Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans and Porphyromonas gingivalis. Concerning Prevotella intermedia, out of 14 smokers and 10 non-smokers positive at baseline, 9 and 5, respectively, remained positive after treatment. The results suggest a less favourable clinical outcome of non-surgical therapy in smokers than non-smokers in spite of the fact that the therapy was equally effective with regard to reducing the alleged periopathogens A. actinomycetemcomitans, P. gingivalis and P. intermedia.