Microbial effects (Porphyromonas gingivalis, Tannerella forsythia) after scaling and root planing

Periodontitis patients with 4-6 mm deep pockets is generally treated surgically after the initial therapy. Scaling and root planing (SRP) can change the composition of bacterial pathogens. This study aimed to determine the microbiological effects (Porphyromonas gingivalis and Tannerella forsythia) of SRP for chronic periodontitis with 4-6 mm deep pockets. Forty subjects underwent SRP on the initial visit and on days 7, 14, and 21 and months 2, 3, and 6. At the initial, month-2, month-3, and month-6 visits, and subgingival plaque samples collected to identify the composition of the P. gingivalis and T. forsythia population using real-time PCR were examined before and after SRP. There was a decrease in pocket depth, gingival bleeding index, and P. gingivalis and T. forsythia populations (p < 0.05). SRP can improve microbiological conditions in the treatment of chronic periodontitis with 4- to 6-mm deep pockets.