OBJECTIVETo investigate the clinical results of non-surgical periodontal treatment of generalized aggressive periodontitis in a Chinese population.

METHODSNineteen patients aged (24. 5 +/- 4.1) years with generalized aggressive periodontitis were included in this prospective study. All subjects received scaling and root planing and were clinically monitored every 2 months for 6 months. The clinical parameters, including probing depth (PD), bleeding on probing (BOP), attachment loss (AL) and mobility, furcation involvement of molars were recorded at baseline, 2, 4 and 6 months after treatment. White blood cells, neutrophil percentage, triglyceride of 7 patients were detected at baseline and 6 months after treatment.

RESULTSAt baseline, the mean PD of patients was (5.1 +/- 2.1) mm, the percentage of BOP positive sites was 98.0% and mean AL was (3.9 +/- 1.9) mm. At 6 months after treatment, the mean pocket depth reduction was 2.0 mm, the percentage of BOP positive sites reduced to 11.9% and 0.6 mm attachment level was gained. Incisors showed greater PD reduction than molars, the baseline PD had predictive effect on PD reduction, deep sites showed greater PD reduction than shallow sites. There was a statistically significant decrease of neutrophil percentage at 6 months after treatment [(65.7 +/- 9.9)% vs. (55.4 +/- 9.3)%, P < 0.05].

CONCLUSIONSNon-surgical treatment is effective for the generalized aggressive periodontitis and every 2 months SPT is necessary for maintenance. Further surgical treatment or repeated SRP is recommended for molars.