title: The effect of periodontal therapy on intra-oral halitosis: a case series.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of non-surgical periodontal therapy on intra-oral halitosis 3 months after therapy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixty-eight adults with intra-oral halitosis were included in a case series. Intra-oral halitosis was evaluated at baseline, and at 3 months after treatment using the organoleptic scores (OLS), Halimeter®, and a gas chromatograph.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Significant reductions for OLS (p < 0.01), total sum of volatile sulphur compounds (T-VSC) (p < 0.01) and methyl mercaptan (MM) (p < 0.05) values were found after treatment. Hydrogen sulphide (H2S) levels were not significantly reduced. The numbers of probing pockets 4 mm, 5 mm and 6 mm were significantly reduced as a result of therapy (p < 0.001). Bleeding on probing (BOP) and plaque indices were also significantly reduced (p < 0.001). For the 34 individuals with successful periodontal treatment (BOP<20% and a ≥50% reduction of total pocket depth) reductions in OLS (p < 0.01) and T-VSC scores (p < 0.01) were found. Eleven individuals were considered effectively treated for intra-oral halitosis presenting with a T-VSC value <160 ppb, a H2S value <112 ppb and a MM value <26 ppb.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Non-surgical periodontal therapy resulted in reduction of OLS, MM and T-VSC values 3 months after therapy. Few individuals were considered as effectively treated for intra-oral halitosis.
authors: School for Health and Society, Kristianstad University, Kristianstad, Sweden.
authors: Seida
authors: S
authors: Erovic Ademovski
authors: School for Health and Society, Kristianstad University, Kristianstad, Sweden.
authors: Carina
authors: C
authors: Mårtensson
authors: School for Health and Society, Kristianstad University, Kristianstad, Sweden.|Department of Periodontics, School of Dentistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.
authors: G Rutger
authors: GR
authors: Persson
authors: School for Health and Society, Kristianstad University, Kristianstad, Sweden.|School of Dental Science, Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland.|Blekinge Institute of Technology, Karlskrona, Sweden.
authors: Stefan
authors: S
authors: Renvert
keywords: bad breath; hydrogen sulphide; oral halitosis; oral malodour; periodontitis; volatile sulphur compounds