OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effect of non-surgical treatment with Florida probe.

METHODS100 patients with periodontitis were chosen in the study, who accepted periodontal non-surgical treatment. Pocket depth (PD) and attachment loss (AL) of all patients were recorded with Florida probe before and at the first month after periodontal non-surgical treatment. The detecting sites were mesialbuccal, buccal, distalbuccal and lingual. All teeth were divided into four groups: Anterior teeth group, premolar group, molar group and all teeth group. The therapeutic efficacy of PD and AL of groups, sites and different pocket depths was compared.

RESULTSIn all four groups, PD, AL before and after one month periodontal non-surgical treatment demonstrated significant differences (P < 0.05). It was found that the short-term effect of periodontal non-surgical treatment resulted in significant resolution of gingival inflammation and pronounced reduction in pocket depth and gain of attachment loss in all patients. Anterior teeth had better therapeutic efficacy than premolar and molar. The PD pronounced reduction and gained a significant difference between PD < 5 mm and PD > or = 5 mm (P < 0.05), but not with AL (P > 0.05). Sites had no significant difference (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONFlorida probe evaluates periodontal conditions accurately and objectively. Periodontal non-surgical treatment allowed for favourable treatment response on periodontitis, anterior teeth had a good therapeutic efficacy, different sites had the equal therapeutic efficacy.