Belinda Reinhardt, Astrid Klocke, Sarah H. Neering, Sabine Selbach, Ulrike Peters, Thomas F. Flemmig, Thomas Beikler
Clinical Oral Investigations
Study

Aim:

To investigate in periodontally healthy individuals the efficacy of full mouth Airflowing when used as an adjunct to routine supragingival debridement (SD) on the prevalence of recognized periodontal pathogens.

Materials and Methods:

• 87 systemically and periodontally healthy individuals with at least one of the following periodontal pathogens-Porphyromonas gingivalis, Tannerella forsythia,Treponema denticola (red complex) or Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, Prevotella intermedia, or Eikenella corrodens were included in the study
• They were randomly divided into 2 groups.
• Control subjects (n = 45) received supragingival debridement of all teeth (SD) using sonic scalers, hand instruments and dental floss for the removal of biofilm and calculus followed with polishing with rubbercup and polishing paste
• In the test group (n = 42), In addition to the above treatment, the oral mucosa was treated with by Airflow. The handpiece was kept at a distance of 5 to 8 mm to the soft tissue surfaces to reach all accessible extra dental intraoral  environment, such as gingival and buccal mucosa, tongue, and palate
• Microbiological samples were taken from oral mucosa, cheeks, tongue, palate, and interdental areas to assess the above mentioned periodontal pathogens on the 2nd, 5th and 9th day following intervention.
• In case, if at least one of these periodontal pathogens could not be identified, additional microbial sampling was performed after 6 and 12 weeks.

Results

• Test group showed a significant reduction in the red complex bacteria in comparison to the control group post treatment and at day 9
• Amongst and between the groups there was a significant reduction in the mean prevalence in both groups from BL through day 9, however, the initial strong reduction returned to baseline values after 6 and 12 weeks.

Conclusion

• Airflow as an adjunct to supragingival debridement only transiently enhances the suppression of red complex bacteria in periodontally healthy individuals