Patients Chief Complaints Across Different Periodontal Diseases: A Cross-Sectional Study

Aim: This study assesses the relationship between periodontal chief complaints and different periodontal diseases, including variations across periodontitis stages and grades. Methods: A total of 309 patients were enrolled. Demographic data, smoking status, brushing frequency, diabetes, periodontal complaints, and clinical parameters were recorded. Periodontal diseases were categorized as Gingivitis, Gingival Inflammation on a Reduced Periodontium, and Periodontitis. Periodontitis was further classified based on its stages and grades according to clinical and radiographic findings. Associations between periodontal disease groups, periodontitis stages/grades, and chief complaints were analyzed. Results: Significant differences in age, plaque index, probing depth, bleeding on probing, and gingival index were observed among the periodontal disease groups. Halitosis was most the common complaint in the Gingival Inflammation on a Reduced Periodontium (12.8%) and Gingivitis (9.6%) groups, while it was significantly less frequent in the Periodontitis group (3.4%, p<0.001). Gingival recession was significantly more reported in the Gingival Inflammation on a Reduced Periodontium (23.4%) and Periodontitis (15.1%) groups. A significant proportion of patients in Stage I, II, and III primarily reported dental calculus removal as their chief complaint, whereas gingival bleeding and mobility were significantly more common among Stage IV patients. No significant differences were found between periodontal chief complaints and the grades of periodontitis. Conclusion: Patients' periodontal complaints varied across disease types and periodontitis stages but not grades. Understanding these complaints can improve patient cooperation and treatment adherence, ultimately enhancing outcomes.