Statistical analysis
PD, tooth
PLAQUE
Statistical analysis was performed with the IBM SPSS 27 software package (IBM Corp.). Data analysis was performed using the patient as the statistical unit. For all clinical parameters, mean values per subject and per visit were calculated. In particular, PD and CAL of moderate pockets at baseline and at 3- and 6-month follow-ups were obtained by averaging PDs and CALs in moderate sites for each patient at baseline, 3- and 6-month follow-ups. Similarly, per-patient PD and CAL of deep pockets at baseline (and at 3 and 6 months) were obtained by averaging PD and CAL values in deep sites for each patient at baseline, 3 and 6 months. Per-patient BOP and PI were obtained by calculating a percentage share of tooth sites with BOP and plaque for each patient by classifying pockets by baseline PD (all treated sites with PD ≥ 4 mm and the full mouth).The Shapiro–Wilk test was performed to assess whether clinical periodontal measures followed a normal distribution. If data followed a normal distribution, a paired-samples 