Baseline level of Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans has been suggested a
s being predictive of periodontal treatment outcome. We analysed the presen
ce of Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans, Porphyromonas gingivalis, and P
revotella intermedia in 55 deep periodontal pockets of 29 patients (18 men,
11 women, 37-75 years) before and after periodontal treatment. Al baseline
and after treatment, 62% and 33%, respectively, of the subjects presented
with 1, 2, or a combination of all 3 pathogens. The mean pocket depth of 6.
6 mm (0.4 mm) before treatment decreased to 2.2 mm (0.4 mm) in response to
treatment (P < 0.001). The treatment plan of non-surgical or surgical treat
ment was based on pocket depths and tooth morphology only. No antimicrobial
medications were used during the treatment. Eighty-two percent of the deep
pockets healed satisfactorily to less than or equal to 4 mm. The presence
of Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans, Porphyromonas gingivalis, or Prevo
tella intermedia at baseline was not associated with the outcome of the per
iodontal therapy. In conclusion, we found that the presence of the 3 period
ontopathogen species had little or no value in predicting healing of period
ontal pockets.