Minimally invasive non-surgical approach for the treatment of periodontal intrabony defects: a retrospective analysis.

AIM The aim of this retrospective analysis was to assess healing of intrabony defects treated with minimally invasive non-surgical therapy (MINST). METHODS A retrospective analysis was carried out in 35 consecutive intrabony defects treated by MINST (without any adjuncts) in 23 non-smoking patients. All defects had a radiographic intrabony component > 3 mm and had clinical and radiographic data available at baseline and 12 after treatment. Pre- and post-treatment radiographs were analysed and bone levels were compared by multilevel linear regression adjusted by latent variable method. RESULTS Following MINST, the average PPD and CAL reduction in the intra-bony defects were 3.12 mm and 2.78 mm respectively (p < 0.001). The average radiographic intrabony vertical defect depth was reduced by 2.93 mm (from 6.74 mm to 3.81 mm) (p < 0.001), whereas the average defect angle changed from and 28.5° at baseline to 44.4° at re-evaluation (p < 0.001). Smaller initial defect angles and deeper initial defect depths were associated with greater defect depth reduction. Greater initial defect angles were associated with less defect angle change. CONCLUSIONS This paper shows considerable clinical and radiographic improvements after MINST, therefore bringing evidence to support its efficacy for the treatment of intrabony defects in non-smokers.