The limited value of three pathogen species in predicting healing of periodontal pockets

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.