Patients' experience of pain and discomfort during instrumentation in the diagnosis and non-surgical treatment of periodontitis.

Background: The present multicenter study aimed to survey the patients' experiences in relation to the diagnosis and non-surgical treatment of periodontitis according to current treatment routine.

Methods: Patients (N = 268) treated for plaque-related periodontitis were enrolled in two groups: group 1 received primary probing of pocket depths (PD 1) and/or primary scaling and root planing (SRP 1); group 2 consisted of patients who were scheduled in the different centers for recall PD/scaling/subgingival instrumentation. Data collection included a full periodontal status, anesthesia employed, procedure time, and patient self-completed questionnaires to assess their previous and current experience of pain and discomfort during anesthesia and periodontal treatment.