Evaluation of Criteria for Successful Periodontal Therapies in the Posterior Teeth Using Delphi Technique in Iran

Statement of Problem: Periodontists use different criteria to assess the success of periodontal treatments so that there is no consistent approach regarding the important parameters to be used for successful treatment.

The aim of this study was to determine success criteria of periodontal treatment using Delphi method based on the experience of expert panel of periodontists.

In this cross-sectional study using Delphi method, 15 periodontitists in Iran determined the level of importance of attachment level, probing depth, furcation involvement, mobility, plaque, inflammation and patient satisfaction following periodontal treatment of the posterior teeth in a patient with moderate to severe chronic periodontitis. The periodontists were questioned concerning the relative importance of each outcome measure, a minimally acceptable level for success for each criterion and the length of time for these parameters to remain stable.

Following two rounds of Delphi surveys, the periodontists considered the attachment level, bone loss and plaque to be a ''very important'' parameter for successful periodontal treatment. Probing depth, furcation involvement, inflammation, function, esthetics, mobility and patient satisfaction were considered to be" important" factors for successful periodontal treatment. The panelists agreed that a minimal of 1mm attachment gain, 1mm reduction in probing depth, Glickman grade I furcation involvement, Miller degree I mobility, and no change in the bone level are acceptable outcomes following 1 year of treatment. Finally, the periodontists considered that 1 year results of treatment should remain stable for a minimum of 5 years.

These studies suggest that Delphi method is a practical approach which can establish minimal standards for successful therapy of the posterior teeth based on the opinions of expert periodontists.