Periodontal conditions in patients treated with dental bridges

The periodontal condition of 162 splinted approximal abutment tooth surfaces was compared with that of 162 contralateral tooth surfaces which were not fastened together. The Plaque Index (Silness & Löe 1964), the Gingival Index (Löe & Silness 1963), and the Margin Index (Silness 1970a) were recorded. Pocket depths were measured as explained by Glavind and Löe (1967). In bridge recipients who had received periodontal treatment and instruction to improve oral hygiene and who had no subgingival retainer margins in the embrasure areas between the splinted teeth, the periodontal condition was no better or worse than that of the contralateral area with which it was compared. Bridge recipients who had not been systematically influenced to change the tooth cleansing habits and who had subgingival retainer margins in the embrasure area between the splinted teeth, showed a considerable deterioration of the periodontal condition as compared to that of the contralateral area.