Abstract
BACKGROUND: Non-surgical periodontal therapy, including mechanical debridement and root planning, is the gold standard in the treatment of periodontal diseases. The most commonly used instruments for non-surgical therapy are sonic/ultrasonic devices and manual instruments such as curettes. OBJECTIVE: This study evaluates the clinical effectiveness and patient experience of non-surgical periodontal therapy using the Vector® Paro Pro ultrasonic device, emphasizing its impact on periodontal indices and patient comfort. METHODS: Fifty patients with gingivitis, periodontitis, or peri-implantitis participated. Baseline data, including Plaque Index (PI), Gingival Index (GI), Papillary Bleeding Index (PBI), Probing Depth (PD), and Clinical Attachment Loss (CAL), were recorded. Patients underwent treatment using the Vector® Paro Pro system. Evaluations were conducted at baseline, two weeks, and one month post-therapy. Statistical analyses utilized repeated measures ANOVA and paired t-tests, with a significance threshold of p<0.05. Patient experience was assessed via a questionnaire. RESULTS: All periodontal indices showed significant improvement post-therapy. The mean PI decreased from 1.18±0.12 to 0.52±0.08 after two weeks and 0.44±0.09 after one month (p<0.001). Significant reductions were observed in PBI (from 1.68±0.10 to 0.46±0.09) and PD (>4 mm pockets: from 5.55±0.19 to 3.65±0.45; p<0.001). CAL improved significantly (from 0.80±0.18 to 0.70±0.16 after one month; p<0.001). Patient-reported outcomes revealed that 98% experienced no pain during therapy. CONCLUSION: The Vector® Paro Pro ultrasonic device demonstrated significant clinical improvements in periodontal health, particularly in bleeding reduction and deep pocket management. Its hydroxyapatite-enhanced fluid effectively polished root surfaces and reduced post-therapeutic sensitivity. Patients reported minimal discomfort, underscoring the device's potential as a comfortable, efficient alternative for non-surgical periodontal therapy. Further studies with longer follow-up periods are recommended to confirm these findings.