Disease progression in aggressive periodontitis patients. A Retrospective Study

Aim: The primary aim of this study was to retrospectively ascertain disease progression in a cohort of aggressive periodontitis patients (AgP). Materials and Methods: Patients treated at a specialist setting and referred back to general practice for periodontal maintenance were recalled and examined in a single visit. Disease progression during follow-up was assessed and historical data collected from the patient's records. Factors that could potentially influence tooth loss rates at the patient level were explored by linear regression analysis. At the tooth level, chi-square test and OR for tooth loss were calculated. Results: Sixty-six subjects completed the study. The mean follow-up was 6.97 years (95% CI 6.25-7.69). The mean annual tooth loss rate was 0.27 teeth per patient/year (95% CI 0.17-0.36). At the patient level, having received surgical treatment and the performance of interproximal cleaning were found to significantly reduce the annual tooth loss rates. At the tooth level, deep probing depths after treatment were significantly associated with increased tooth loss rates (OR 4.39 for PPD 5-6 mm and OR 11.68 for PPD >6 mm, respectively, compared with PPD <5 mm). Conclusions: In this sample of patients, the annual tooth loss rates were found to be higher than previously described.