Potential impact of surgical periodontal therapy on oral health-related quality of life in patients with periodontitis: a pilot study

Aim To gain insight into the impact of periodontal surgery on oral health-related quality of life (QoL) of patients with periodontitis. Material and Methods Study participants were recruited from moderate to severe periodontitis patients. After initial periodontal therapy, participants received periodontal surgery. Oral Health-related Quality of Life Model for Dental Hygiene (OHRQL) was used to assess participant's QoL at each time point of periodontal evaluation (baseline, at least 3 weeks after initial therapy and 3–4 months after surgery). Results A total of 21 patients completed OHRQL assessment after surgery. Compared with baseline, a progressive improvement in periodontal parameters was observed during the periodontal therapy. The total mean OHRQL score at baseline (25.5 ± 11.4) was significantly reduced (improved) after initial therapy and after surgery (16.7 ± 9.5 and 15.0 ± 9.7, respectively; p < 0.01). However, no significant difference was found between the OHRQL score after initial therapy and that after surgery. Conclusions No significant differences in patients’ oral health-related QoL were observed between post-initial therapy and post-surgery intervals, although a tendency of surgery to determine an improvement in QoL was observed when compared with post-initial treatment.