Periodontal disease may cause loss of supporting tissues and increased tooth mobility, particularly in the anterior region, leading to functional and esthetic problems. Fiber-reinforced periodontal splinting is used to stabilize mobile teeth and improve patient comfort while preserving natural dentition. The aim of this study is to evaluate the 12-month clinical performance of intracoronal ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene fiber-reinforced periodontal splints in periodontally compromised anterior teeth. Periodontal, restorative, radiographic, and patient-reported outcomes will be assessed at baseline and during follow-up visits at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months.
Periodontal attachment loss may result in pathologic tooth mobility, compromising function, esthetics, and quality of life. Periodontal splinting is commonly used as an adjunctive treatment to stabilize mobile teeth following periodontal therapy. However, evidence regarding the long-term periodontal and restorative performance of intracoronal fiber-reinforced splints remains limited. This prospective observational cohort study evaluates the clinical performance of intracoronal periodontal splints fabricated with ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene fiber in periodontally compromised anterior teeth. Patients received comprehensive periodontal therapy before splint placement. Clinical periodontal parameters, including probing depth, clinical attachment level, plaque index, gingival index, bleeding on probing, periodontal inflamed surface area (PISA), periodontal epithelial surface area (PESA), radiographic relative bone loss, restorative performance according to modified USPHS criteria, tooth survival, splint survival, and patient satisfaction were evaluated at baseline and after 1, 3, 6, and 12 months. The findings are expected to provide evidence regarding the short-term clinical effectiveness, periodontal compatibility, restorative performance, and patient-centered outcomes of intracoronal polyethylene fiber-reinforced periodontal splints in the management of periodontally compromised mobile anterior teeth.
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
68
Intracoronal fiber-reinforced periodontal splinting using ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (Ribbond) fibers placed in mobile anterior teeth after completion of active periodontal therapy.
Selcuk University Faculty of Dentistry
Konya, Konya, Turkey (Türkiye)
Tooth survival
Number and percentage of splinted teeth remaining in the oral cavity without extraction during the 12-month follow-up period.
Time frame: Baseline to 12 months
Visual Analog Scale
Patient satisfaction assessed using a 10-cm Visual Analog Scale (VAS), with higher scores indicating greater satisfaction.
Time frame: Baseline, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months
Modified USPHS criteria
Clinical evaluation of restorative performance using modified USPHS criteria, including anatomical form, marginal adaptation, marginal discoloration, surface texture, color match, secondary caries, and retention.
Time frame: Baseline, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months
Relative radiographic bone loss
Relative radiographic bone loss (RBL) assessed on standardized periapical radiographs during follow-up.
Time frame: Baseline, 6 months, and 12 months
Probing Pocket Depth (PPD)
Mean probing pocket depth measured in millimeters using a periodontal probe at six sites per tooth.
Time frame: Baseline, 6 months, and 12 months
Clinical Attachment Level (CAL)
Mean clinical attachment level measured in millimeters using a periodontal probe at six sites per tooth.
Time frame: Baseline, 6 months, and 12 months
Plaque Index (PI)
Plaque accumulation assessed using the Silness and Löe Plaque Index.
Time frame: Baseline, 6 months, and 12 months
Gingival Index (GI)
Gingival inflammation assessed using the Löe and Silness Gingival Index.
Time frame: Baseline, 6 months, and 12 months
Bleeding on Probing (BOP)
Bleeding on probing recorded as the percentage of sites exhibiting bleeding after periodontal probing.
Time frame: Baseline, 6 months, and 12 months
Periodontal Inflamed Surface Area (PISA)
Periodontal inflamed surface area calculated from periodontal clinical measurements according to the validated PISA method.
Time frame: Baseline, 6 months, and 12 months
Periodontal Epithelial Surface Area (PESA)
Periodontal epithelial surface area calculated from periodontal clinical measurements according to the validated PESA method.
Time frame: Baseline, 6 months, and 12 months
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