Influence of periodontal surgery on the state of the pulp

Aim. To evaluate the relationship between the periodontal surgery and post-surgery sensibility. Methods. 15 patients were selected for the study. 10 were treated with resective periodontal surgery, 2 with regenerative surgery and 3 with an open flap debridment. Pulp tests and vitality were performed with a Medi Tester (Dental Medica, Italy), whereas dental sensibility was assessed through a visual analogue scale (VAS) before surgery (t0), after 1 week (t1), 4 weeks (t2) and 8 weeks (t3). Controlateral tooth was considered as control group. Collected data were analyzed to evaluate statistical differences between groups among time (Wilcoxon Signed Rank Test and Friedman ranks ANOVA, p<0,005). Results. Pulp test showed no significant differences between the surgery groups and with no variation among time. Post-surgery sensibility values were statistically significantly higher in the group of the treated teeth when compared to the control group, at t1 (p=0,004) and t3 (p=0,008). Conclusions. The clinical evidence suggests that periodontal surgery does not influence pulp vitality but determines an increased dental sensibility during the first week after surgery.