A long-term retrospective analysis of clinical and radiographic data was carried out to determine the interest and value of splint therapy for stabilizing clinical conditions after periodontal treatment. The study population was composed of 51 patients enrolled in periodontal maintenance. Patients were selected for splint therapy (splints or combined splint-fixed partial dentures) because of residual tooth mobility in the anterior area following completion of periodontal treatment. The follow-up period comprised between 2 to15 years. During the observation period, 2 out of the 308 abutment teeth were lost and a small number of complications (3 pulpal incidents, 9 debondings) occurred. The mean percentage of bone loss calculated on periapical radiographs was 0.27% in the group 5–10 years after splinting and 0.40% in the group 10–15 years after splinting. The results of this study demonstrate that when modern adhesive techniques are applied, resinbonded splints and fixed partial denture splints can be viable alternatives to conventional complete coverage prostheses in the treatment and maintenance of patients with periodontal diseases.

Keywords: periodontitis, resin-bonded splints, periodontal maintenance