Aging influence on non surgical periodontal treatment results

The age-related effect on periodontal treatment effectiveness remains controversial because of its association with numerous confounding factors, including periodontitis diagnosis, smoking and diabetes exposition duration. Our aim was to evaluate the independent effect of age on non surgical periodontal treatment results using a case-control study.

Method:

Forty non-smokers patients including 20 mid-aged patients (MA) from 40 to 54 years-old and 20 aged patients (A) from 55 to 70 (A) years-old suffering from generalized moderate chronic periodontitis were re-examined 1 to 6 years after initial diagnosis and non surgical periodontal treatments. Oral hygiene habits and behavioral characteristics related to aging were recorded. Periodontal treatment effectiveness was assessed by measuring pocket probing depth (PPD) and bleeding on probing (BOP) changes, number and reason of tooth loss per year (TL).

Result:

At base-line, demographic (except age) and periodontal characteristics were similar on both groups. During the mean follow-up period of 3.5 years, patients displayed comparable periodontal treatment modalities such as compliance. Oral hygiene habits were similar in both groups while aging characteristics were more marked in A group. The mean PPD reduction was 0.27 and 0.6 mm for MA (p=0.05) and A groups (p<0.0001), respectively. PPD reduction was significantly higher in A group (p=0.005), and was related to age (p<0.01). BOP decrease was similar in both groups (MA: 19%, A: 17%). The mean TL during study period was 0.08 for MA group and 0.18 for A group, meanly for periodontal reasons.

Conclusion:

These data showed that age could not be considered as a risk factor for non surgical periodontal treatments. The improvement of some periodontal conditions in aged patients compared to younger patients suggested that aging may positively modify periodontal tissue response to treatment.