Effort and costs of tooth preservation in supportive periodontal treatment in a German population.

OBJECTIVES: Assessment of effort (number of visits) and costs of tooth preservation 10 years after initiation of anti-infective therapy.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: Data of 98 patients who had received active periodontal treatment 10 years ago by the same examiner were analysed to gather information on effort and costs of supportive periodontal therapy (SPT). Clinical examination, interleukin-1 (IL-1) polymorphism test, smoking, search of patients' files (i.e. initial diagnosis), as well as a questionnaire on medical history and socioeconomic data were performed. Statistical analysis was performed using multivariate linear regression analysis.

RESULTS: During 10 years of SPT patients had 14.8+/-7.4 visits. Number of visits was statistically significantly higher for individuals with a mean plaque control record >or=24 %. The number of subgingival scalings per tooth ranged from 0 to 14 (mean: 1.17). On tooth level several confounders could be identified: tooth type, initial bone loss, furcation involvement, abutment status, and previous regenerative surgery (p <or = 0.003). Costs for therapy per tooth during SPT ranged from 1.21 euro to 404.72 euro with mean costs between 60.52 euro and 91.99 euro. On tooth level the tooth type, initial bone loss, abutment status, furcation involvement, and previous regenerative surgery showed statistical significance (p <or= 0.002).

CONCLUSION: Costs for tooth retention via SPT are relatively low compared with alternatives (e.g. implants or bridgework) even in periodontally impaired teeth.