Table 1 Periodontal conditions of the patients prior to starting the study

(5 males and 5 females; average 6.3; range from 6 to 7 years old)

Patient 1.

Probing depth values not exceeding 3 mm in the whole dentition; no radiographic evidence of periodontal bone loss; normal gingival biotype.

Patient 2.

Probing depth values not exceeding 3 mm in the whole dentition; no radiographic evidence of periodontal bone loss; normal gingival biotype.

Patient 3.

Probing depth values exceeding 3 mm only in two sites; no radiographic evidence of periodontal bone loss; normal/thin gingival biotype.

Patient 4.

Probing depth values exceeding 3 mm only one site in the whole dentition; no radiographic evidence of periodontal bone loss; normal gingival biotype.

Patient 5

Probing depth values not exceeding 3 mm in the whole dentition; no radiographic evidence of periodontal bone loss; normal gingival biotype.

Patient 6.

Probing depth values not exceeding 3 mm in the whole dentition; no radiographic evidence of periodontal bone loss; normal gingival biotype.

Patient 7.

Probing depth values exceeding 3 mm only in two sites; no radiographic evidence of periodontal bone loss; normal/thin gingival biotype.

Patient 8.

Probing depth values not exceeding 3 mm in the whole dentition; no radiographic evidence of periodontal bone loss; normal gingival biotype.

Patient 9.

Probing depth values not exceeding 3 mm in the whole dentition; no radiographic evidence of periodontal bone loss; normal gingival biotype.

Patient 10.

Probing depth values not exceeding 3 mm in the whole dentition; no radiographic evidence of periodontal bone loss; normal gingival biotype.

Group II

(4 males and 6 females; average 6.3; range from 6 to 8 years old)

Patient 1.

Probing depth values exceeding 3 mm only in one site; no radiographic evidence of periodontal bone loss; normal gingival biotype.

Patient 2.

Probing depth values exceeding 3 mm only in one siteno radiographic evidence of periodontal bone loss; normal gingival biotype.

Patient 3.

Probing depth values not exceeding 3 mm in the whole dentition; no radiographic evidence of periodontal bone loss; normal gingival biotype.

Patient 4.

Probing depth values not exceeding 3 mm in the whole dentition; no radiographic evidence of periodontal bone loss; normal gingival biotype.

Patient 5.

Probing depth values exceeding 3 mm only in two sites; no radiographic evidence of periodontal bone loss; normal/thin gingival biotype.

Patient 6.

Probing depth values not exceeding 3 mm in the whole dentition; no radiographic evidence of periodontal bone loss; normal/thin gingival biotype.

Patient 7.

Probing depth values not exceeding 3 mm in the whole dentition; no radiographic evidence of periodontal bone loss; normal gingival biotype.

Patient 8.

Probing depth values not exceeding 3 mm in the whole dentition; no radiographic evidence of periodontal bone loss; normal gingival biotype.

Patient 9.

Probing depth values exceeding 3 mm only in two sites; no radiographic evidence of periodontal bone loss; normal gingival biotype.

Patient 10.

Probing depth values not exceeding 3 mm in the whole dentition; no radiographic evidence of periodontal bone loss; normal gingival biotype.