[Effects of scaling and root planing on clinical parameters and bacterial flora in periodontal pockets. 1. Changes in clinical parameters and subgingival bacterial flora after treatment].

The purpose of this study was to clinically and microbiologically evaluate the effects of supragingival plaque control, scaling and root planing on periodontal therapy. Six patients affected with moderate or severe periodontitis were selected. The clinical status of each patient was recorded with such clinical parameters as probing pocket depth (PD), probing attachment level (PAL), gingival crevicular fluid flow (GCF), gingival index (GI), gingival bleeding index (GBI), suppurative index (SI), and mobility (Mo). After the patients had learned to perform their own oral prophylaxis, they were treated by scaling and root planing. Microbiological status was assessed by phase contrast microscopy and bacterial forms were classified into following six groups: coccoid cells, rods, filaments, fusiforms, motile rods, spirochetes. The number and the relative proportion of each group were compared statistically. Clinical and microbiological status from baseline to 5 months after scaling and root planing were re-examined. The results obtained were as follows. 1. The most significant change in clinical and microbiological status was observed one month after scaling and root planing. In particular, the total number of the microorganisms and the number and relative proportion of motile organisms were reduced. 2. Thereafter clinical and microbiological status was maintained during experimental period by means of supragingival plaque control.