Journal of Dental Research, Vol 80, 1637-1642, Copyright © 2001 by International & American Associations for Dental Research Online Journals
Decrease of sulfate-reducing bacteria after initial periodontal treatment
P. S. Langendijk-Genevaux, J. T. Hanssen and J. S. van der Hoeven
Department of Dentistry, University of Nijmegen, The Netherlands. Genevaux@cmu,unige.ch
Sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) are associated with periodontitis, but it
is unknown if elimination of these potential pathogens accompanies clinical
improvement. This longitudinal study examined the occurrence of SRB and
clinical effects following scaling and root planing. In this study, the
presence of periodontal SRB was determined in 38 selected patients before
and six months after mechanical therapy. SRB were detected by the
enrichment culture technique. Mechanical periodontal treatment resulted in
elimination of SRB in 89% of the patients, and 95% of the sites (n = 76).
SRB were significantly reduced in patients with progressive, adult, and
refractory periodontitis. The elimination of SRB was accompanied by
clinical improvement. The mean gain of attachment of these pockets was 3 mm
(p < 0.001). The reductions in pocket depth (p < 0.001) and bleeding
were significant (p < 0.001). Persistence of SRB correlated with the
initial pocket depth (p < 0.02) and attachment level (p < 0.02), and
with bleeding of the site after treatment (p < 0.05). In conclusion,
mechanical debridement is generally effective for the elimination of SRB.
