Retrospective long-term analysis of tooth loss over 20 years in a specialist practice setting: Periodontally healthy/gingivitis and compromised patients

Abstract

Objective: To assess tooth loss (TL) in initially periodontally healthy/gingivitis (PHG) and periodontally compromised (PC) individuals during a 15- to 25-year follow-up in a specialist practice and to identify the factors influencing TL. Materials and methods: Patients were re-examined 240 ± 60 months after active periodontal therapy (PC) or initial examination (PHG). PHG patients were periodontally healthy or had gingivitis, and PC patients exhibited at least stage II periodontitis. TL, patient-related outcomes, and risk factors for TL were assessed at the patient level (group-relation, gender, age, smoking, bleeding on probing, educational status, mean number of visits/year). Results: Fifty-six PC patients receiving regular supportive periodontal care (12 female, mean age 49.1 ± 10.9 years, stage II: 10, stage III/IV: 46) lost 38 teeth (0.03 ± 0.05 teeth/year). Fifty-one PHG patients (23 female, mean age 34.5 ± 12.4 years) following regular oral prevention lost 39 teeth (0.04 ± 0.05 teeth/year) (p =.631). Both PC and PHG groups did not show any significant differences regarding visual analogue scale measurements [aesthetics (p =.309), chewing function (p =.362), hygiene (p =.989)] and overall Oral Health Impact Profile (p =.484). Age at the start of follow-up was identified as a risk factor for TL (p