Case 3 - The effect of supragingival plaque control alone on a patient with advanced periodontitis

This patient, who was a 50 year old male, was referred with chronic periodontitis and generalized pocketing of 6 - 7mm pockets. At the first visit he was given detailed oral hygiene instruction including toothbrushing, flossing and use of single tufted brushes. No instrumentation was carried out.

The patient was unable to return for 4 months due to work commitments but cleaned to a high standard and most of the pocketing resolved. Note particularly the supragingival exposure of previously subgingival calculus.