title: Differential dark field microscopy of subgingival bacteria as an aid in selecting recall intervals: results after 18 months.
abstract: Differential dark field microscopic examination of subgingival microbial forms has been used to assign customized recall intervals to a population of adults with minimal periodontal disease. Results after 18 months indicate that a substantial proportion of the test subjects remained in good periodontal health despite the absence of regular biannual prophylaxes. One half of these subjects, who had not received a prophylaxis for periods of 15-18 months, did not demonstrate any detectable worsening of their periodontal status. No correlation could be established in this population between proportions of certain microbial forms and susceptibility to gingivitis.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001071:Appointments and Schedules; D001419:Bacteria / Q000166:cytology*; D003777:Dental Prophylaxis; D005260:Female; D005881:Gingiva / Q000382:microbiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008853:Microscopy / Q000379:methods; D008875:Middle Aged; D010510:Periodontal Diseases / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013997:Time Factors