[Influence of residual plaque score during initial treatment on pocket reduction rate at individual tooth surfaces].

The purpose of this study is to examine the relation ship between residual plaque score at an individual tooth surface during initial treatment and the pocket reduction rate at the evaluation time. Thirty-nine adult periodontal patients (mean age 30.2 years) who O'Leary plaque control record (PCR) reached a level of 10% PCR, were selected for this study. A total of 5638 surfaces were monitored by recording probing pocket depths at the disto-buccal (a), mid-buccal (b), mesio-buccal (c), disto-lingual (d), mid-lingual and (e), mesio-lingual (f) regions, and by examining O'Leary plaque control records. The results were as follows: 1) The residual plaque score at all teeth surfaces was 14.74 +/- 19.21%. 2) The lowest plaque score were seen at 54/45, and 21/12. 3) The highest plaque score were seen at 7/7, and 76/67. 4) Well-responding sites that showed a high residual plaque score and a good pocket reduction rate, were 5/5 (initial probing pocket depth 3.0-3.5mm, a), and 4/4 (initial probing pocket depth 3.0-3.5 mm,f; 5.0-5.5 mm, f). 5) 7/7 (initial probing pocket depth 3.0 mm a, b, d), and 7/7 (initial probing pocket depth 3.0-3.5 mm, f) showed a high residual plaque score and a low pocket reduction rate. 6) The normal pocket response occurred at a level of residual plaque score and a low pocket reduction rate. 6) The normal pocket response occurred at a level of residual plaque score of less than 25%. In order to gain good pocket response, it is important to keep the level of residual plaque score at less than 25% rather than to keep the level of PCR at 10% or 20% (as several authors have previously stated). 7) A low residual plaque score during treatment is therefore more important than a low PCR.