Predictors of long-term outcomes in patients undergoing periodontal maintenance

Abstract

Aim: This retrospective study aimed to characterize the baseline status of patients following periodontal maintenance, analysing the association between the long-term outcome of these patients, smoking, bruxism, and the main clinical and radiographic variables. Material and methods: A sample of 174 patients with moderate to severe periodontitis was refined into homogeneous subsamples according to smoking and bruxism and the rate of tooth loss due to periodontal disease (TLPD): 0, 1–2, and >2 teeth. The association and the distribution (χ² test) of the variables within the subsamples were analysed. Results: Smoking and bruxism were significantly associated with higher TLPD rates. Vertical and circumferential bone defects (p 2. Furcation defects (p =.0002), fewer radio-opaque subgingival calculus (χ² p 1.5 mm (χ² p =.0026) were associated with smoking and higher TLPD rates. The mean baseline mobility, abfractions, and recessions characterized two basic types of TLPD. Conclusions: Smoking, bruxism, and routine clinical and radiological parameters can be used to characterize the baseline status of patients with worse outcomes.