Novel Protocol for Supportive Periodontal Therapy

Supportive periodontal therapy (SPT) succeeds the active phase of periodontal therapy. SPT includes repeated supra- and subgingival scaling and root planing (SRP) at all sites with bleeding on probing and pocket depths ≥ 4-5 mm. Despite the fact that this treatment approach has been proven to be extremely successful, on a long-time basis, it is associated with substantial hard tissue loss (i.e. root cementum and dentin) that may lead to an increase in hypersensitivity, weakening of the tooth and even endodontic complications. Therefore, a novel treatment concept (Guided Biofilm Management or GBM) consisting of removal of all soft supra- and subgingival bacterial deposits by means of an erythritol powder air-polishing, followed by the local, precise removal of supra and subgingival hard deposits (e.g. calculus) and subsequent use of another sub- and supragingival erythritol powder air-polishing, has been introduced. Here, the investigators will compare this novel concept (GBM) with the conventional care during SPT using hand curettes.