Effect of immediate periodontal surgical treatment on periodontal healing in combined endodontic-periodontal lesions with communication-A randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Management of combined endodontic-periodontal lesions needs more clinical investigations. The aim of this prospective randomized clinical trial was to evaluate the effect oftime interval between the non-surgical endodontic treatment (ET) and open flap debridement (OFD) on periodontal healing in combined endodontic periodontal lesions with apical communication.

METHODS: Forty patients were randomly allocated to two treatment protocols. Group 1(immediate periodontal surgery): OFD was performed at 21 days of initiation of ET and SRP, and Group 2(delayed periodontal surgery): OFD was performed after 3 months of initiation of ET and SRP. The primary parameters included probing pocket depth (PPD), relative attachment level (RAL) and bleeding on probing (BOP) and tooth mobility (TM).

RESULTS: Significantly more reduction in PPD, TM and gain in RAL was observed in Group 1 at 3 months of OFD. (P < 0.05) Whereas at 6 months follow up of OFD (6 and 9 months of ET in Group1 and Group 2, respectively), intergroup analysis showed statistically comparable reduction in BOP (%), PPD, TM and gain in RAL (P > 0.05) in both the groups.

CONCLUSION: Immediate periodontal surgery may not affect the outcome of the treatment of combined endo-perio lesions with apical communication.