Abstract: PURPOSE: To explore the necessity of periodontal-pulp combined therapy for severe periodontitis. METHODS: From May 2009 to September 2011, 52 patients who were diagnosed of severe periodontitis were involved in this study. They were randomly divided into 2 groups. Patients in group A were given periodontal-pulp combined therapy, while patients in group B were given periodontal therapy. SBI, PD, AL were recorded in baseline, 3 months, 6 months, 1 year and 2 years after treatment. Statistical analysis was performed with SPSS13.0 software package. RESULTS: All the indexes were different between 2 groups in baseline. Three months after treatment, all the indexes were not significantly different between two groups. Six months after treatment, SBI was significantly different between 2 groups, but PD and AL were not significantly different between 2 groups. One year after treatment, all the indexes were significantly different between 2 groups. Two years after treatment, SBI was not significantly different between 2 groups, but PD and AL were significantly different between two groups. The results of periodontal-pulp combined therapy were better than periodontal therapy. CONCLUSIONS: Periodontal-pulp combined therapy is necessary for patients with severe periodontitis.

Key words: Severe periodontitis, Root canal therapy, Sulcus bleeding index, Probe depth, Attachment level