The effect of supragingival plaque removal on anaerobic bacteria deep periodontal pockets.

A study was made to determine if the numbers of subgingival anaerobes in deep periodontal pockets can be controlled by removal of only supragingival plaque. The study was based on the premises that the subgingival flora is dependent on the supragingival plaque for its source of organisms as well as for its perpetuation. Daily professional removal of only supragingival plaque produced a statistically significant reduction per sample in subgingival facultative and obligatory anaerobes.