A three-year prospective study of adult subjects with gingivitis. I: clinical periodontal parameters.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study was to monitor prospectively clinical parameters in subjects without signs of destructive periodontal disease who were involved in a primary prevention programme, and to determine the changes that occurred between yearly examinations over a 3-year period.


METHODS
One hundred and twenty-six subjects aged at least 20 years with a maximum of two tooth sites with probing pocket depth (PPD)>4 mm and no proximal sites with clinical attachment loss participated in the study. Primary prevention was provided at baseline of the study and then every 6 months. Plaque, bleeding on probing (BoP) and PPD were scored at baseline, 1, 2 and 3 years.


RESULTS
There were no significant changes in the plaque score over the 3 years. After year 1, the BoP score was significantly improved with 5.6%, while no further improvement in BoP was found at years 2 and 3. The mean PPD decreased from 2.3 to 2.1 mm over the 3 years (p<0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Although some individuals exhibiting minor signs of periodontal pathology may have benefited from the primary prevention, the overall clinical improvement was limited for such subjects in the present 3-year study.
Bogren
Anna
A
Department of Periodontology, Institute of Odontology, The Sahlgrenska Academy at Göteborg University, Göteborg, Sweden. Anna.Bogren@odontologi.gu.se
Teles
Ricardo
R
Torresyap
Gay
G
Haffajee
Anne D
AD
Socransky
Sigmund S
SS
Lindhe
Jan
J
Wennström
Jan L
JL
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003773:Dental Plaque / Q000628:therapy; D003774:Dental Plaque Index; D003777:Dental Prophylaxis; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005884:Gingival Hemorrhage / Q000628:therapy; D005891:Gingivitis / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009910:Oral Hygiene; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D010510:Periodontal Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*; D010512:Periodontal Index; D010514:Periodontal Pocket / Q000628:therapy; D011322:Primary Prevention; D011446:Prospective Studies