This aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between the formation of volatile
sulfur compounds (VSC) and the severity of different kinds of
periodontal disease. Twenty patients suffering from biofilm-related
periodontal diseases and a control group of ten healthy individuals were selected. The patients were divided according to their periodontal diagnoses: marginal
gingivitis (MG/n = 10) and
chronic periodontitis (CP/n = 10). The patients received non-surgical
therapy that consisted of motivation, scaling and
root planing. Two experimental periods were used: T1 = baseline and T2 = final evaluation after three months. The data analysis showed that CP group had a significant reduction (p < 0.05) in probing depth (PD) and clinical attachment level (CAL), and group MG presented a reduction in GI (p < 0.05). There was a significant reduction (p < 0.05) in the
aspartate aminotransferase (AST), N-a-benzoyl-DL-
arginine-p-nitroanilide (
BAPNA) and VSC levels in both MG and CP groups, although the deeper residual pockets led to higher AST and VSC levels in the CP group. Within the limits of the present pilot study, it can be concluded that the non-surgical
therapy may influence VSC formation in a manner dependent on
periodontal disease severity.