An Evidenced‐Based Scoring Index to Determine the Periodontal Prognosis on Molars

Abstract

Background This retrospective study evaluated and assigned scores to six prognostic factors and derived a quantitative scoring system used to determine the periodontal prognosis on molar teeth. Methods Data were gathered on 816 molars in 102 patients with moderate to severe periodontitis. The six factors evaluated, age, probing depth, mobility, furcation involvement, smoking, and molar type, were assigned a numerical score based on statistical analysis. The sum of the scores for all factors was used to determine the prognosis score for each molar. Only patients with all first and second molars at the initial examination qualified for the study. All patients were a minimum of 15 years post treatment. Results The post treatment time ranged from 15 to 40 years and averaged 24 years. When the study was completed, 639 molars survived (78%), and of those surviving molars, 566 survived in health (89%). In molars with lower scores (1,2,and 3) the 15-year survival rates ranged from 99% to 96%. For scores 4, 5, 6 the 15 year survival rates ranged was 95% to 90% and for molars with scores of 7, 8, 9, and 10 the survival rates ranged from 86% to 67%. Conclusions Our results indicate that the periodontal prognosis on molars diagnosed with moderate to severe periodontitis can be calculated using an evidence-based scoring system.

Videoscope‐assisted minimally invasive periodontal surgery (V‐MIS)

“…(Miller et al. ) This is in agreement with Lang who indicated that the presence of probing depths of 5 mm or greater represented a moderate risk of disease progression (Lang & Tonetti ). Our study indicates that with the use of V‐MIS, it is possible to treat residual probing depths of 5 mm or greater resulting in ideal probing depths of less than 3 mm with little chance of unaesthetic post‐surgical recession.…”

Minimally invasive erbium flap (MINIETM flap)—a retrospective surgical treatment for chronic periodontitis

“…Miller's prognostic indicators need to be readdressed in light of the results of these recent erbium laser studies. He stated that Bany molar with a residual PD < 5 mm had a higher probability of being retained for at least 15 years^ [36].…”

The Miller–McEntire Score for Molars Provides an Evidence-based Approach to Assigning Periodontal Prognosis for Molar Teeth

“…Dannewitz et al 6 also found baseline bone loss to be a significant predictor of molar tooth loss. Unlike the study by Miller et al, 1 the study by Dannewitz et al 6 does not include probing depth, so that baseline bone loss is the prognostic factor most similar to probing depth since probing depth is positively correlated with bone loss. As to the prognostic factor for smoking, the study by Miller et al 1 dichotomizes smoking status into smokers and non-smokers whereas the study by Dannewitz et al 6 provides a continuous measure of smoking that yields a cumulative exposure to smoking.…”