Full Mouth Ultrasonic Debridement: a Therapeutic Protocol for Periodontal Disease Treatment in Patients with Down Syndrome

Aim: evaluate the effectiveness of a single session of sub gingival instrumentation with ultrasonic instruments (FMUD) in the treatment of periodontitis in patients with Down syndrome. Materials and Methods: 40 patients (age range between 15 and 35 years) who had at least 8 sites with probing pocket depth (PPD)> 5 mm and presence of bleeding on probing, were randomly assigned to one of the two treatment groups: a single session sub gingival ultrasonic instrumentation (test group), or 4 traditional cause-related therapy sessions with manual instruments (control group). At baseline and at 6 months the following parameters were measured: probing pocket depth (PPD), gingival recession (REC), clinical attachment level (CAL), plaque index (PI) and bleeding on probing (BoP). Results: both techniques at 6 months were effective in improving the clinical parameters of periodontal disease, with a statistically significant reduction in PPD, CAL, PI and BoP. A reduced number of anesthetic cartridges was used in the test group Conclusions: the results demonstrated that a single subgingival ultrasonic instrumentation session represents a valuable therapeutic approach for periodontitis treatment in patients with Down syndrome. From the patient's point of view, this approach offers tangible benefits, in fact, need fewer appointments, less chair time and a reduced use of local anesthetic than the classic four sessions protocol.