Clinical alterations in relation to the morphological composition of the subgingival microflora following scaling and root planing.

The aim of the present study was to relate shifts in the composition of subgingival plaque in periodontal pockets to alterations of the clinical periodontal conditions following a single course of subgingival scaling and root planing during a period of professional supragingival plaque control. For this purpose, 36 pairs of contralateral periodontal pockets in 10 subjects with moderately advanced periodontitis were assessed for the degree of gingival inflammation, probing pocket depths, bleeding on probing, attachment levels and the amount of supragingival plaque. In addition, samples of subgingival plaque were analyzed morphologically by dark-field microscopy. All patients received detailed information about proper oral hygiene and every 1-2 weeks, professional removal of supragingivally located deposits. When the oral hygiene standard had been sufficiently improved, 1 course of subgingival scaling on 1 side of each jaw only (test side) was carried out. Clinical and microbiological examinations were repeated after the scaling as well as after 2 and 6 months, while patients were recalled for supragingival prophylaxis every 2nd to 4th week. Our data showed that a single course of subgingival scaling and root planing resulted in reduced probing depths. a gain in clinical attachment and a shift in the composition of the subgingival microflora to a composition found in relatively healthy periodontal conditions. In relatively shallow pockets, however, a possible influence of repeated sampling on the subgingival microflora could not be ruled out. Bleeding on gentle probing was a reliable parameter for predicting a subgingival microflora where motile bacteria hold an increased portion. The differences in the subgingival microflora between sites exhibiting gain in clinical attachment after 6 months and non-responding sites, could not be confirmed statistically. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]