Retrospective comparison of clinical variables between compliant and non-compliant patients

Background: The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate if patients with moderate to advanced periodontitis had comparable periodontal conditi ons at baseline and during supportive periodontal therapy (SPT) whether the y were compliant or not. Method: Patient-related variables were compared: age, tooth mobility, furca tion involvement, number of teeth, pocket probing depth, plaque index. Comp liant patients (n = 142) received complete periodontal treatment and were f ollowed over at least 10 years (group A). Non-compliant patients either dis continued supportive periodontal therapy (n = 42, group B) or dropped out b efore or during periodontal surgery (n = 44, group C). Results: At baseline, there were no significant differences between the 3 g roups except for mobility. During SPT, mean pocket probing depth and plaque index differed significantly. Conclusion: These results indicate that non-compliant patients compared to compliant patients had similar periodontal conditions at baseline, but resp onded less favourably to periodontal surgery and maintenance.