Methods: Twenty systemically healthy chronic periodontitis patients were recruited for the study. Before the initiation of periodontal intervention GCF samples were obtained from four sites in single rooted teeth with probing depths >5mm. Scaling and root planing were performed and GCF sampling as well as clinical periodontal measurements were repeated 4 weeks after the completion of non-surgical periodontal treatment. Williams periodontal probe was used for clinical periodontal measurements. GCF samples were analyzed by ELISA. Data were tested statistically by paired t-test, Wilcoxon test and Pearson correlation analysis.
Results: All clinical periodontal measurements showed significant reductions 4 weeks after periodontal treatment (all p=0.000). GCF volume, OPG total amount and concentration decreased significantly with periodontal treatment (all p<0.05). IL-17 and sRANKL concentrations increased after non-surgical periodontal treatment (p<0.05), whereas total amounts did not change significantly (p>0.05). IL-17 concentration correlated with sRANKL concentration both at baseline and after non-surgical treatment (both p=0.000).
Conclusion: Non-surgical periodontal treatment in chronic periodontitis patients seems to affect GCF concentrations of IL-17, RANKL, and OPG. Further studies with longer follow-up periods comprising more patients may provide insight to this subject.