The loss of molars in supportive periodontal care: A 10-year follow-up for tooth- and patient-related factors.

AIM

To determine the impact of the degree of furcation involvement (FI) on the longevity of molar teeth and assess the risk variables (tooth- and patient-related factors) associated with the loss of molars (LM) in individuals treated for periodontitis and monitored in a private programme of supportive periodontal care (SPC).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The present retrospective cohort study included 222 individuals with 1329 molars under a 10-year monitoring period in SPC. Periodontal clinical parameters, FI, the type of molar, pulp vitality, and other variables of interest were collected at approximately 50 days after active periodontal therapy and after 10 years. The association of tooth- and patient-related factors with LM was assessed using a multilevel Cox regression analysis.

RESULTS

Two-hundred and thirty-five molars were extracted during the SPC period of 12.4 ± 1.9 years. Age >50 years, male gender, diabetes, smoking, and non-compliance were identified as relevant patient-related factors for LM during SPC (p < .05). Significant tooth-related factors for LM were bleeding on probing (BoP) and probing depth (PD) ≥5 mm, tooth non-vitality, and class II and III FI (p < .05).

CONCLUSIONS

Class III FI, tooth non-vitality, higher mean PD and BoP, age, male gender, diabetes, and smoking all strongly influenced the prognosis of molars during SPC.