Divergent Patient-Reported Outcomes to Periodontal Therapy: A Prospective Study of Gingivitis Subtypes.

INTRODUCTION AND AIMS: Subtype-specific differences in patient-reported outcomes (PROs) following periodontal therapy for gingivitis remain poorly defined. This study compared changes over time in clinical parameters, oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL), and dental anxiety (DA) following periodontal therapy among individuals with localized gingivitis (LG), generalized gingivitis (GG), and periodontally healthy controls (PH).

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

Ninety participants (30 per group) underwent scaling, polishing, and oral hygiene instruction. Clinical parameters (bleeding on probing [BOP], gingival index [GI], plaque index [PLI]) and patient-reported outcomes (Oral Health Impact Profile-14 [OHIP-14] and Corah's Dental Anxiety Scale [C-DAS]) were recorded at baseline (t0), 1 month (t1), and upon achieving periodontal health (t2; BOP < 10%).

RESULTS

All groups showed significant improvements in GI and PLI (P < .05). BOP decreased significantly in LG and GG (both P < .05), but not in PH. PROs exhibited distinct, subtype-specific patterns: OHRQoL (OHIP-14) improved significantly in GG only at t2 (P < .05), whereas the LG improved at both t1 and t2 (all P < .05). In addition, dental anxiety (C-DAS) decreased significantly in the GG at both t1 and t2 (P < .05).

CONCLUSION

Periodontal therapy provides dual clinical and psychological benefits, with the pattern of improvement in OHRQoL and reduction in dental anxiety contingent on gingivitis subtype. The registration number: ChiCTR2300076378.