Pocket closure and residual pockets after non-surgical periodontal therapy: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Abstract

Aim To analyse the efficacy of non-surgical therapy (NST) in terms of pocket closure (PC) and changes in percentage and number of pockets. Materials and methods Three databases (PubMed, EMBASE, and Scopus) were searched up to January 2020. Prospective studies with a minimum follow-up of 12 months and presenting data in terms of PC or number or percentage of pocket depths (PDs) before and after NST on systemically healthy patients were included. Random-effect meta-analyses were performed.

Results After screening 4610 titles and abstracts, 27 studies were included. Of these, 63.9% of PC was reported by one study. The percentage of PDs ≤3 mm changed from 39.06% to 64.11% with a weighted mean difference (WMD) of 26.14% (p

Conclusions NST is able to eradicate the majority of the pockets. However, residual pockets after NST may remain and should be considered cautiously for further treatment planning.