It is evident that many factors determine the rate of response after traditional scaling and root planing (S&RP) therapy. Clinical skills, time, and patient endurance, are all components of various factors that influence improvements in periodontal therapy. A technique for S&RP that facilitates efficient removal of subgingival deposits is desirable. The use of direct subgingival inspection with Perioscopy as a diagnostic tool may provide potential therapeutic benefits when compared to (S&RP) alone. Purpose: The purpose of this research was to evaluate the effectiveness of Perioscopy a dental fiber- optic imaging system as an adjunctive tool in periodontal therapy in chronic periodontitis patients exhibiting non-responding sites from previous periodontal therapy. Methods: The study design is a within patient match site design. A total of six patients (44 sites) were treated. Half the sites were treated with S&RP and Perioscopy, (experimental group) and the other half with conventional S&RP alone (control group). Criteria for selection included interproximal sites, location of single vs. multi-rooted teeth and periodontal pocket depths ranging 5-8mm. Control sites were scaled first and timed. These sites were scaled for 5-7 minutes. Perioscopy sites were S&RP until no calculus was evident with Perioscopy. Microbial and gingival crevicular samples were taken at baseline and at 1 month evaluation. Results: Preliminary results of the clinical data show a 54% increase of 2 mm in the treatment group where compared to the control group we have a 40% increase. Conclusion: Short-term clinical outcomes show non-statistical significances between the treatment and control groups at one month. Positive trends may show a difference at 3 months evaluation to provide the utility of this instrument.

Back to the Periodontal Research - Therapy Program
Back to the IADR/AADR/CADR 80th General Session (March 6-9, 2002)

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