Florida probe combined with guided biofilm therapy in the treatment of severe periodontitis: a case report

Severe periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory disease characterised by the progressive destruction of periodontal tissues. Although conventional periodontal treatment focuses primarily on calculus removal, guided biofilm therapy (GBT) emphasises plaque control as the main therapeutic target. The Florida Probe system provides standardised computerised periodontal measurements with enhanced accuracy. This case report presents the less frequently reported combination of the Florida Probe assessment with GBT for treating severe periodontitis. A 34-year-old woman presented with gingival redness and swelling for 1 year and tooth mobility for 2 years. Initial Florida Probe examination revealed 100% bleeding on probing (BOP) at 162 sites, with 57% suppuration at 92 sites and probing depths (PD) of 2–13 mm (93% PD > 4 mm). Following GBT, including supragingival and subgingival air-polishing, ultrasonic debridement and extraction of hopeless teeth, major improvements were observed. At the 1-year follow-up, BOP had decreased to 25%, with only three sites showing PD ≥ 5 mm, demonstrating substantial clinical improvement and a favourable prognosis. The combination of the Florida Probe assessment with the GBT protocol provided a treatment method for severe periodontitis. This approach can enabled the precise monitoring of treatment outcomes and to a certain extent reduce periodontal inflammation and probing depths, highlighting the importance of plaque-oriented therapy in periodontal management.