DOI: 10.69601/meandrosmdj.1708692 ISSN: 2149-9063

Comparison of Current Subgingival Debridement Methods: Clinical Trial with 6 Months Follow-Up

Selcen Özcan Bulut, Şafak Necati Dönertaş, Nihan Özel Erçel
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Objective: This study aimed to compare the clinical efficacy, aesthetic outcomes, and perceived pain levels of current subgingival debridement methods used in the treatment of Stage I-II periodontitis. Materials and Methods: Ninety patients (52 females, 38 males) diagnosed with mild to moderate periodontitis (Stage I–II) were randomly assigned to one of three treatment groups: Conventional Therapy (CT), involving Gracey curettes and sonic scalers followed polishing; Guided Biofilm Therapy (GBT); and Plaque-Disclosed Conventional Therapy (PDCT). Each patient received non-surgical periodontal treatment with the goal of achieving periodontal health (defined as probing depth <4 mm and bleeding on probing <10%). Periodontal parameters including Gingival Index (GI), Plaque Index (PI), Bleeding on Probing (BOP), Probing Pocket Depth (PPD), aesthetic scores, and pain levels during treatment were recorded at baseline, 1, 3, and 6 months. Results: All treatment groups showed statistically significant improvements in GI, PI, BOP, and PPD at each follow-up time point compared to baseline (p<0.001). Aesthetic scores increased progressively over time in all groups, with the GBT group demonstrating significantly higher scores at 1. month (p=0.042). At the 6-month follow-up, the GBT group had the lowest mean GI, while the CT group had the highest. Significant differences among groups were observed in PI, PPD, and aesthetic scores across the follow-up period. No significant differences were found between the PDCT and GBT groups regarding periodontal parameters at 6 months (p>0.05). All three methods were comparably effective in achieving the desired periodontal health status. There were no statistically significant differences in pain perception among the groups during treatment. Conclusion: Current non-surgical periodontal treatment methods provide similar clinical outcomes in the management of mild-moderate periodontitis when monitored over 6 months. GBT may be preferred for patients with greater aesthetic concerns. The use of plaque disclosing agents to visualize biofilm appears to offer advantages during therapy.

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