[The therapeutic effects of non-surgical technics applied in the treatment of periodontitis].

The aim of the present investigation was to study the non-surgical periodontal therapy efficiency. 126 patients were selected for this study. 20,052 sites were observed during 2 years. Patients were instructed in oral hygiene before treatment and, if necessary, during the study. All the sites were treated by scaling and root planing. The treatment was followed by a three months maintenance. The pockets were classified in three depth groups (less than 3, greater than 3 less than 7, greater than = 7 mm). At base line, male patients showed a greater deep pockets number. Probing pockets measurements were recorded 3, 12 and 24 months after treatment. The results showed, after three months, an important reduction of the pockets number (greater than 3 less than 7 and greater than = 7 mm). A smaller reduction was also observed after 12 and 24 months. During the last 21 months of this study, a therapeutic effect of the maintenance appeared more clearly when a correlation was made with the initial pocket number. The healing was not influenced by the initial pocket depth. Only incisors and canines deepest pockets showed a better healing. In the same way, molars and premolars proximal sides showed a better answer. This last observation is, maybe, the consequence of the frequent papillectomy performed around the posterior teeth. The differences between female and male patients or between the age groups were not significative. Nevertheless, the therapeutic effect of the maintenance seemed to be more effective with younger patients.