Retrospective comparison of clinical variables between compliant and non-compliant patients

BACKGROUND: The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate if patients with moderate to advanced periodontitis had comparable periodontal conditions at baseline and during supportive periodontal therapy (SPT) whether they were compliant or not. METHOD: Patient-related variables were compared: age, tooth mobility, furcation involvement, number of teeth, pocket probing depth, plaque index. Compliant patients (n = 142) received complete periodontal treatment and were followed over at least 10 years (group A). Non-compliant patients either discontinued supportive periodontal therapy (n = 42, group B) or dropped out before or during periodontal surgery (n = 44, group C). RESULTS: At baseline, there were no significant differences between the 3 groups except for mobility. During SPT, mean pocket probing depth and plaque index differed significantly. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that non-compliant patients compared to compliant patients had similar periodontal conditions at baseline, but responded less favourably to periodontal surgery and maintenance.