Potential impact of surgical periodontal therapy on oral health-related quality of life in patients with periodontitis: a pilot study

Abstract

Aim: To gain insight into the impact of periodontal surgery on oral health-related quality of life (QoL) of patients with periodontitis.

Material and methods: Study participants were recruited from moderate to severe periodontitis patients. After initial periodontal therapy, participants received periodontal surgery. Oral Health-related Quality of Life Model for Dental Hygiene (OHRQL) was used to assess participant's QoL at each time point of periodontal evaluation (baseline, at least 3 weeks after initial therapy and 3-4 months after surgery).

Results: A total of 21 patients completed OHRQL assessment after surgery. Compared with baseline, a progressive improvement in periodontal parameters was observed during the periodontal therapy. The total mean OHRQL score at baseline (25.5 ± 11.4) was significantly reduced (improved) after initial therapy and after surgery (16.7 ± 9.5 and 15.0 ± 9.7, respectively; p < 0.01). However, no significant difference was found between the OHRQL score after initial therapy and that after surgery.

Conclusions: No significant differences in patients' oral health-related QoL were observed between post-initial therapy and post-surgery intervals, although a tendency of surgery to determine an improvement in QoL was observed when compared with post-initial treatment.