title: The effectiveness of periodontal treatment as measured by tooth loss.
abstract: In a retrospective study, the authors evaluated the effectiveness of periodontal treatment in preventing tooth loss in patients with moderate to advanced periodontitis. Patients had received maintenance therapy for an average of 12.5 years. Of the 2,899 teeth present after active treatment, 152 were lost to periodontal disease and 68 were lost to other causes during maintenance therapy. The authors evaluated causes and patterns of tooth loss after surgical vs. nonsurgical treatment. Surgery did not significantly improve tooth retention in the high-risk patients. This study and other retrospective studies suggest that tooth loss may be related more to the type of periodontal disease present than to the treatment rendered.
authors.affiliation: Department of Applied Dental Medicine, Southern Illinois University, School of Dental Medicine, Alton 62002-4798, USA.
authors.forename: D E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: McLeod
authors.forename: P A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Lainson
authors.forename: J D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Spivey
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003777:Dental Prophylaxis; D005260:Female; D017823:Furcation Defects / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D010512:Periodontal Index; D010518:Periodontitis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016388:Tooth Loss / Q000517:prevention & control*