Objective: To investigate the periodontal status in patients with oral submucous fibrosis (OSF), and to provide reference for the treatment and prophylaxis in patients with OSF and betel chewers.
Methods: Fifty samples clinically and pathologically diagnosed as OSF patients were selected as the OSF group, another 50 age-matched healthy volunteers in the similar living condition were compared with the OSF patients and non-betel nut chewers were classified as the control group. The 5 periodontal clinical parameters were collected and recorded, including plaque index, periodontal probing depth, clinical attachment loss, gingival index, and tooth count of bleeding of probing.
Results: There was a significant difference in plaque index (PLI) between the OSF group (2.14+/-0.64) and the control group (1.7+/-0.89) (P<0.01). Periodontal probing depth (PD) was (1.98+/-0.70) mm in the control group, and (5.57+/-2.39) mm in the OSF group, with significant difference in PD (P<0.01). There was no significant difference in clinical attachment loss, gingival index, and tooth count of bleeding on probing between the 2 groups (P>0.05).
Conclusion: OSF patients tend to accumulate plaque, and have deep periodontal pocket, periodontal inflammation or severe periodontal damage.