Nya behandlingsmetoder ur ett vetenskapligt och kliniskt per­spek­tiv – en utvärdering

English summary Evaluation of new treat­ment methods from a sci­ent­ific and clinical point of view 92 – 8. Treat­ment of gingivitis and periodontitis focuses on reduction of inflammation to a level where further breakdown of the periodontal tissues is arrested. Most established methods of treat­ment are, however, technically demanding and time-consuming. Several new treat­ment methods include various adjunctive measures, i.e. electric toothbrushes as well as antiseptics and antibiotics for subgingival application to improve the effect of the mechanical treatment. New treat­ment methods should be developed and documented in accordance with a high level of sci­ent­ific standards. When a clinical trial is designed, it is important that the outcome of the application of a new treat­ment method can be weighed against an established method. Moreover, the periodontal condition of the subjects recruited for the trial and the periodontal parameters selected for examination must match the treat­ment method under investigation. The fact that a statistical ana­lysis shows a significant difference when the outcomes of various treatments are compared does not necessarily mean that the difference is of clinical importance. Whether statistical ana­lysis results in a significant difference or not may depend on several factors, i.e. the number of patients included in the study as well as their initial periodontal condition.