Prevalence and characteristics of periodontal surgery procedures in postgraduate periodontic clinics: an epidemiological analysis

Abstract

Background: Periodontal diseases include gingivitis, periodontitis, and peri-implant disease. There are different ways to treat these diseases, such as surgical and non-surgical periodontal treatments like gingivectomy, open flap debridement, and crown lengthening. Aim: This study aimed to determine the most common periodontal surgery procedures performed in postgraduate periodontic clinics and to identify the associated periodontal diagnoses and patient demographics. Materials and methods: This study is a retrospective cross-sectional study carried out at the postgraduate periodontic clinics in the College of Dentistry, University of Baghdad. Various information, such as demographic data, medical and dental history, periodontal diagnoses, and types of periodontal surgery that the subjects underwent, was collected from the periodontal records. The collected data were then analyzed statistically. Results: A total of 271 patient records were included in this study, with a mean age of 38.7±11.9 years. The most frequently performed periodontal surgery procedures were open flap debridement (29.2%), followed by gingivectomy (19.1%) and guided tissue regeneration (17.5%). Regarding diagnosis, the most prevalent periodontal diagnoses were gingivitis (31%), followed by periodontitis (28.04%) and gingival enlargement (8.86%). Statistically significant associations were observed between periodontal diagnoses and types of periodontal surgeries performed. Sex-specific differences were noted in the selection of surgical treatments. Conclusion: This study sheds light on periodontal surgery epidemiology in a postgraduate periodontic clinic. The data show that periodontal diseases and patient-specific characteristics require personalized treatment techniques.