Long‐term stability of intrabony defects treated with minimally invasive non‐surgical therapy

Abstract Aim The aim of this study was to assess the stability over time of periodontal intrabony defects treated with minimally invasive non‐surgical therapy ( MINST ) and supportive periodontal therapy ( SPT ). Methods Clinical and radiographic analysis was carried out in 21 intrabony defects treated with MINST in 14 consecutive patients included in a prospective study and reassessed after 5 years of SPT . Baseline, 1‐ and 5‐year radiographs were analysed, and bone levels were compared by multilevel linear regression adjusted by latent variable method. Results None of the 21 teeth with intrabony defects was lost at 5 years. Average probing pocket depth, clinical attachment level and radiographic intrabony vertical defect depth reductions were 3.6, 3.5 and 2.6 mm, respectively, 5 years after treatment ( p < 0.001 compared with baseline). Further non‐statistically significant reductions were seen in clinical and radiographic measures between 1 and 5 years. Deeper initial defects and narrower angles were predictive of a bigger reduction in defect depth ( p < 0.001 and p = 0.017, respectively). Conclusions Clinical and radiographic improvements in intrabony defects after MINST seen at 1 year are stable up to 5 years, bringing evidence to support its long‐term efficacy for the treatment of intrabony defects in non‐smokers.