Olfactory Function and Oral Malodor in Periodontitis Before and After Periodontal Therapy

Generalized periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory disease associated with increased production of volatile sulfur compounds (VSCs), contributing to halitosis. Elevated intraoral malodor may interfere with olfactory perception through masking effects and inflammatory mechanisms. Participants diagnosed with generalized periodontitis and complaining of halitosis underwent routine nonsurgical periodontal therapy consisting of three sessions of scaling and root planing performed at one-week intervals. Olfactory function (threshold, discrimination, identification; total TDI score) and total VSC concentrations were assessed at baseline (prior to first session) and one week after completion of the third session. The study evaluated changes in chemosensory function and halitosis parameters following periodontal therapy and analyzed correlations between baseline VSC levels and olfactory performance.