Predictors of long‐term outcomes in patients undergoing periodontal maintenance

AIM This retrospective study aimed to characterize the baseline status of patients following periodontal maintenance, analysing the association between the long-term outcome of these patients, smoking, bruxism, and the main clinical and radiographic variables. MATERIAL AND METHODS A sample of 174 patients with moderate to severe periodontitis was refined into homogeneous subsamples according to smoking and bruxism and the rate of tooth loss due to periodontal disease (TLPD): 0, 1-2, and >2 teeth. The association and the distribution (χ² test) of the variables within the subsamples were analysed. RESULTS Smoking and bruxism were significantly associated with higher TLPD rates. Vertical and circumferential bone defects (p < .0001), and abfractions (p < .0001) were associated with bruxism and particularly with bruxism and TLPD >2. Furcation defects (p = .0002), fewer radio-opaque subgingival calculus (χ² p < .0001), a lower mean Gingival index (χ² p = .027), and increased mean recessions >1.5 mm (χ² p = .0026) were associated with smoking and higher TLPD rates. The mean baseline mobility, abfractions, and recessions characterized two basic types of TLPD. CONCLUSIONS Smoking, bruxism, and routine clinical and radiological parameters can be used to characterize the baseline status of patients with worse outcomes.