Determining Relative Percentage Change as a New Metrics in Scaling and Root Planning Therapy Outcome in Patients with Chronic Periodontitis

Aims: To quantify the relative percentage change in the patients with periodontitis after employing the scaling and root planning (SRP) therapy and determine the association in the improvements in clinical parameters of biochemical oxidative stress (OS) markers, total antioxidant capacity (TAOC), and malondialdehyde (MDA).

Study Design: In this cross sectional study, two groups of patients were clinically evaluated and their biochemical parameters were quantified and statistically compared.

Place and Duration of Study: Departments of Biochemistry and Periodontology, M. A. Rangoonwala Dental College, Pune and Department of Biochemistry, Grant Govt. Medical College, Mumbai. The study was carried out between May 2010 and July 2012.

Methodology: Individuals with generalized chronic periodontitis (n = 86; CAL ≥ 3mm American Academy of Periodontology 1999 criteria) were clinically (Gingival index, plaque index, probing depth, clinical attachment level) and biochemically (TAOC, MDA) evaluated. The SRP therapy was performed and a follow-up was done after 3 months. The mean values of clinical and biochemical study parameters and their relative percentage change were evaluated thoroughly.

Results: Individuals with chronic periodontitis showed improved clinical and biochemical oxidative stress (OS) markers. After the SRP therapy, significant improvement (p ˂ 0.05) was found in both clinical and biochemical parameters from their corresponding pre-treatment values.

The relative percentage change in clinical parameters ranged between 14.5% to 38.7%, and those of TAOC and MDA were -10.3% and 34.71% respectively. Further, the relative % change in TAOC and MDA showed significant correlation (p ˂ 0.05) to those of PI, PD, and CAL.

Conclusion: On conducting the SRP therapy, improvement in clinical parameters and biochemical OS parameters is noticed in the individuals with periodontitis. The relative percentage change can be used as a tool for therapy outcome assessment.