Divergent Patient-Reported Outcomes to Periodontal Therapy: A Prospective Study of Gingivitis Subtypes

Introduction and aims: Subtype-specific differences in patient-reported outcomes (PROs) following periodontal therapy for gingivitis remain poorly defined. This study compared changes over time in clinical parameters, oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL), and dental anxiety (DA) following periodontal therapy among individuals with localized gingivitis (LG), generalized gingivitis (GG), and periodontally healthy controls (PH). Materials and Methods: Ninety participants (30 per group) underwent scaling, polishing, and oral hygiene instruction. Clinical parameters (bleeding on probing [BOP], gingival index [GI], plaque index [PLI]) and patient-reported outcomes (Oral Health Impact Profile-14 [OHIP-14] and Corah's Dental Anxiety Scale [C-DAS]) were recorded at baseline (t0), 1 month (t1), and upon achieving periodontal health (t2; BOP < 10%). Results: All groups showed significant improvements in GI and PLI (P < .05). BOP decreased significantly in LG and GG (both P < .05), but not in PH. PROs exhibited distinct, subtype-specific patterns: OHRQoL (OHIP-14) improved significantly in GG only at t2 (P < .05), whereas the LG improved at both t1 and t2 (all P < .05). In addition, dental anxiety (C-DAS) decreased significantly in the GG at both t1 and t2 (P < .05). Conclusion: Periodontal therapy provides dual clinical and psychological benefits, with the pattern of improvement in OHRQoL and reduction in dental anxiety contingent on gingivitis subtype.The registration number: ChiCTR2300076378.