2263 randomly selected subjects, aged 15-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-44, 45-54, 55-64, and greater than 64 yr, were assessed for periodontal status, caries status and treatment needs using the Community Periodontal Index of Treatment Needs (CPITN), the ratio of Gingivitis: Periodontitis: Missing teeth (GPM/T index) and the DMF/T index. The advantages of full mouth examination were compared to partial recordings. The CPITN underestimated deep pocketing especially in older age groups and in younger groups overestimated the need for scaling. Although the mean GPM/T number of periodontally affected teeth is in the range of 9-13 teeth and stable throughout the age groups there were age-dependent high risk groups for developing shallow pocketing (20-24 yr) and deep pocketing (45-54 yr), whereas adolescents were at high caries risk. The increase in the number of missing teeth was dramatic after the age of 54 yr only one decade after the high risk age for deep pathologic pockets.
A double-blind, cross-over study was carried out to assess the anti-calculus effectiveness of a pyrophosphate containing cleaning gel. 2 groups of 30 heavy calculus formers were followed up comparing conventional clinical scoring systems (Volpe-Manhold-Index and Marginal-Line-Calculus-Index) and micromorphologic SEM criteria of calculus formation and inhibition. The results indicated that after a 3-month period, there was a significant reduction of calculus formation compared to a placebo gel. The proposed SEM calculus index (SEMCI) objectively reflects the reduction of supragingival calculus formation.
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