Journal of Dental Medicine

Statement of Problem: There is a controversy about the relationship between pulpal and periodontal diseases. The interrelationship between pulp and periodontium could have an important effect on the treatment plan of the tooth.

Purpose: The aim of the present research is to evaluate root canal therapy effects on periodontal healing of teeth with chronic advanced periodontitis.

Materials and Methods: In this randomized controlled clinical trial 32 single rooted teeth which had necrotic pulp or irreversible pulpitis in 7 patients with chronic advanced periodontitis were selected based on specific criteria. Using a split mouth design, teeth were randomly put in two groups of test and control. In the test group root canal therapy ,scaling & root planing were done.In the control group, only scaling & root planing were performed. Clinical parameters including Pocket Depth (PD), Clinical Attachment Level (CAL), mobility, pattern of bone destruction and plaque index (PI) were evaluated in two groups at base line, 1 and 3 months after treatment. Appropriate tests such as paired Wilcoxon and Mann-Whitney were performed.

Results: Statistically significant reductions were found in the test group when comparing baseline and one-month post treatment values for Clinical Attachment level (CAL) but not after 3-months. In the control group the CAL reductions were not statistically significant between baseline and one month post-treatment, but a increase were observed between one month and three months after treatment. There was a statstically significant difference between the test and the control groups. Other parameters didn’t show any significant differences in each group and between two groups.

Conclusion: Since clinical attachment level was the most important parameter we found it can high lighted the role of pathogene with pulpal origin in progression of periodeontal disease and it is concluded that beside periodontal treatment in some advanced periodontal cases pulp therapy maybe an effective procedure for eleminating destructive pathogens of pulp and causing periodontal healing.