Radiographic bone fill following non-surgical therapy--a report of three cases.

PURPOSE: Non-surgical therapy, including scaling, root planing, and personal plaque control continues to be a powerful effective treatment modality for treating chronic periodontal diseases. Reports in the literature have suggested that adjunctive procedures such as systemic antibiotics and topical antiseptics may enhance the clinical outcomes of non-surgical treatment.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: Three retrospective case reports spanning an evaluation period of 9-36 months are presented. The patients were treated in a private periodontal practice and had advanced periodontal disease. A significant positive clinical and radiographic response was achieved with non-surgical and adjunctive therapy.

RESULTS: The teeth that were treated initially had deep angular bony defects with probing depths ranging 5-8 mm. Following non-surgical and adjunctive therapy, probing depths were considerably reduced and ranged 3-5 mm. As well, a significant degree of radiographic osseous fill of the angular defects was observed.

CONCLUSIONS: In light of the dramatic healing responses observed in these cases, the healing potential of deep periodontal defects with non-surgical and adjunctive therapy requires further investigation. Once the critical elements contributing to the positive responses noted can be identified, then perhaps a more predictable outcome may be achieved in future cases.