The importance of splinting of teeth in the therapy of periodontitis.
OBJECTIVE
The deep periodontal disease often leads to dental mobility with further aggravation of the symptomatology. The aim of the paper is to verify the importance of splinting of teeth in the therapy of periodontitis on the basis of parameters commonly studied [probing depth (PD), bleeding on probing (BOP), plaque index], and the role of the occlusal trauma as primary factor or second leading factor in periodontal diseases.


METHODS
Thirty patients suffering from periodontitis have been treated with the splinting of teeth, neither preceded nor followed from topical and systemic pharmacological therapy, nor from surgical or non surgical treatment of the periodontal tissues involved. During the 4 visits provided by the study, T0 (0 days), T1 (30 days), T2 (90 days) and T3 (180 days), PD, BOP and plaque index have been estimated.


RESULTS
From the comparison of the T0 PD and BOP with the T3 PD and BOP, a significant improvement of these parameters is observed (P<0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
On the basis of the clinical data obtained in this research, the authors suggest that the therapy by means of splinting improves the prognosis of teeth affected by periodontal disease; occlusal trauma and dental mobility cause the aggravation of periodontal lesions.
Forabosco
A
A
School of Periodontics, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy. forabosco.andrea@unimo.it
Grandi
T
T
Cotti
B
B
D001732:Bite Force; D003769:Dental Occlusion, Traumatic / Q000150:complications / Q000517:prevention & control; D003774:Dental Plaque Index; D006801:Humans; D008310:Malocclusion / Q000150:complications; D017090:Occlusal Splints; D010512:Periodontal Index; D010516:Periodontal Splints; D010518:Periodontitis / Q000628:therapy*; D010519:Periodontium / Q000293:injuries; D016896:Treatment Outcome