Impact of Periodontal Bacteria at Baseline on the Effectiveness of Periodontal Therapy

This trial was conducted in accordance with the World Medical Association's Declaration of Helsinki of 1975, and reviewed in 2008. The local ethical committee of the University of Messina approved the study protocol and each patient was carefully informed about the possible inherent risks of the study and provided their informed written consent 102 patients, , aged 27 to 65 (mean age 44.2) were assessed for eligibility. In all subjects, subgingival plaque was acquired from 4 separate proximal sites at 180 days after therapy.

Inclusion criteria

• good condition of general health,
• a minimum of 2 teeth for each quadrant with a Pocket Depth (PD) ranging from 4-6 mm,
• no involvement of the furcation,
• a minimum of a six teeth per quadrant, respectively.

Exclusion criteria

• periodontal therapy during the last 12 months,
• assumption of antibiotics during the last 6 months,
• pregnancy,
• any systemic condition which might affect the effects of the study treatment,
• previous or current radiation or immunosuppressive therapies,
• use of mouthwash containing antimicrobials during the previous 3 months,
• no use of hormonal contraceptives,
• medication by anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive drugs,
• previous history of hard-drinking,
• smoking,
• class II and III tooth mobility.