Efficiency of Non-Surgical Treatments in Periodontal Patients Integrated into the Dr. René Puig Bentz Clinic of the Universidad Nacional Pedro Henríquez Ureña, May-August 2023

Non-surgical periodontal treatment involves removing hard or soft biofilm deposits to achieve a healthy periodontal state. Two techniques are available: manual instruments and ultrasonic instruments. The aim of this study was to compare the clinical effectiveness of non-surgical periodontal treatment using manual instruments versus ultrasonic instruments in periodontal patients treated at the Dr. René Puig Bentz clinic in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, between May and August 2023. This was a prospective analytical and experimental study. Thirty-one patients were selected and randomly assigned to either group A or group B. Group A consisted of 15 patients who were treated solely with manual instruments, while group B consisted of 16 patients with periodontitis who were treated solely with ultrasonic instruments. Plaque controls were conducted at each appointment using disclosing liquid to measure the amount of accumulated plaque, following the O'Leary Index formula. Periodic monitoring was performed every three days, during which various questions were asked to ensure adherence to treatment, regardless of the group selected. The results indicate that the ultrasonic instrumentation intervention group led to a reduction of inflammation in 75% of cases, which persisted in 25%. Additionally, the average O'Leary index decreased to 12.25% and the average number of pockets reduced to less than 1. It was observed that total resolution of periodontitis was achieved in 31% of cases. Although the hand instrument intervention group reduced inflammation in 60% of cases, it persisted in 40%. The average O'Leary index decreased to 10.67%, and the average number of pockets reduced to less than 1. While total resolution of periodontitis was achieved in 20% of cases. The study confirms that non-surgical periodontal treatment with ultrasound is more time-efficient in controlling periodontitis than manual instrumentation, based on the obtained results and reviewed literature.