The effectiveness of scaling and root planing with adjunctive time-release minocycline using an open and closed approach for the treatment of periodontitis

The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of scaling and root planing using a closed and open approach (papilla reflection) with and without a locally delivered antibiotic (minocycline hydrochloride microspheres) in the treatment of moderate to advanced chronic periodontitis. Twenty-five periodontal recall patients with four or more probing depths of 5.0 to 9.0 mm and bleeding on probing (BOP) participated in this double-blind trial. Each of four sites per patient was randomly assigned a different treatment: scaling/root planing only; scaling/root planing followed by minocycline placement; gingival papilla reflection followed by scaling/root planing and flap closure; and gingival papilla reflection, scaling/root planing, minocycline placement, and flap closure. At baseline and each subsequent appointment, probing depth, BOP, and clinical crown length were recorded. Patients returned at three months for measurements and supportive periodontal therapy, and at six months for final measurements. Patients followed their usual oral hygiene regimens. Data were analyzed for significant differences using a repeated measure ANOVA and a Student t-test. All treatments resulted in reduction of probing depths (average of 1.76 mm) and a marked reduction in BOP at six months. While the papilla reflection plus minocycline showed the greatest reduction in probing depth (1.91 mm) and the greatest decrease in BOP (20% at three months and 28% at six months), the differences were not significant (p > 0.05). Clinical crown lengths did not change significantly in the treatment sites; therefore, improvements in probing depth can be attributed to improved clinical attachment levels (long junctional epithelium). The combination therapies did not differ significantly from scaling/root planing alone in decreasing probing depths and BOP.     

Effects of scaling and root planing on clinical parameters and bacterial flora in periodontal pockets. 1. Changes in clinical parameters and subgingival bacterial flora after treatment

The purpose of this study was to clinically and microbiologically evaluate the effects of supragingival plaque control, scaling and root planing on periodontal therapy. Six patients affected with moderate or severe periodontitis were selected. The clinical status of each patient was recorded with such clinical parameters as probing pocket depth (PD), probing attachment level (PAL), gingival crevicular fluid flow (GCF), gingival index (GI), gingival bleeding index (GBI), suppurative index (SI), and mobility (Mo). After the patients had learned to perform their own oral prophylaxis, they were treated by scaling and root planing. Microbiological status was assessed by phase contrast microscopy and bacterial forms were classified into following six groups: coccoid cells, rods, filaments, fusiforms, motile rods, spirochetes. The number and the relative proportion of each group were compared statistically. Clinical and microbiological status from baseline to 5 months after scaling and root planing were re-examined. The results obtained were as follows. 1. The most significant change in clinical and microbiological status was observed one month after scaling and root planing. In particular, the total number of the microorganisms and the number and relative proportion of motile organisms were reduced. 2. Thereafter clinical and microbiological status was maintained during experimental period by means of supragingival plaque control.     

The effect of adjunctive subantimicrobial dose doxycycline therapy on GCF EMMPRIN levels in chronic periodontitis

BACKGROUND: The aim of the present randomized, double-masked, placebo-controlled, parallel-arm study was to examine the effectiveness of a 3-month regimen of subantimicrobial dose doxycycline (SDD) in combination with scaling and root planing compared to scaling and root planing alone on levels of gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) extracellular matrix metalloproteinase inducer (EMMPRIN) in patients with chronic periodontitis. METHODS: GCF samples were collected, and clinical parameters, including probing depth (PD), clinical attachment level, gingival index (GI), and plaque index, were recorded. Thirty chronic periodontitis subjects were randomized to receive SDD or placebo. The SDD group received SDD (20 mg, twice a day) for 3 months plus scaling and root planing, whereas the placebo group took placebo capsules twice a day for 3 months and received scaling and root planing. The subjects were reevaluated at 3 and 6 months. At each visit, all clinical parameters were measured and GCF was sampled. GCF EMMPRIN levels were determined by Western immunoblotting assay. Intragroup comparisons were tested by the Friedman test followed by the Wilcoxon signed-rank test to analyze the significance of changes over time. The Mann-Whitney test was used to determine differences between the SDD and placebo groups. RESULTS: Significant improvements were observed in all clinical parameters in the SDD group over the 6-month study period (P <0.025). The SDD group showed a significantly greater reduction in mean PD scores at 6 months and in mean GI scores at 3 and 6 months than the placebo group (P <0.05). From baseline to 6 months, the GCF EMMPRIN levels were reduced significantly in the SDD group (P <0.025). The GCF EMMPRIN level in the SDD group was significantly lower than that of the placebo group at 3 and 6 months (P <0.05). CONCLUSIONS: SDD therapy in combination with scaling and root planing reduced GCF EMMPRIN levels and improved clinical periodontal parameters in subjects with chronic periodontitis. The ability of SDD to downregulate, in vivo, the GCF levels of EMMPRIN, a unique upregulator of matrix metalloproteinase expression, is one of its beneficial host-modulatory properties. These results expand the usefulness of SDD therapy as an adjunct to scaling and root planing in the long-term management of periodontal disease.     

Clinical outcomes of quadrant root planing versus full-mouth root planing

OBJECTIVES: To determine the clinical effects of full mouth compared with quadrant wise scaling and root planing. METHOD: Twenty patients with chronic periodontitis (> or = 2 teeth per quadrant with probing pocket depths (PPD) > or = 5 mm and bleeding on probing (BOP) were randomized into a test group treated in two sessions with subgingival scaling and root planing within 24 h (full-mouth root planing (FMRP)) and a control group treated quadrant by quadrant in four sessions in intervals of 1 week (quadrant root planing (QRP)). PPD, relative attachment level (RAL) and BOP were recorded at baseline, 3 and 6 months. RESULTS: Analysing first quadrant data, in moderately deep pockets (5 mm < or = PPD < 7 mm) there was no evidence for a difference (FMRP-QRP) between both groups for PPD reduction (mean: -0.128 mm; CI: [-0.949, 0.693]; p=0.747), RAL gain (mean: 0.118 mm; CI: [-0.763, 1.000]; p=0.781), and BOP reduction (mean: -20.1%; CI: [-44.3, 4.2]; p=0.099). Likewise, no significant differences between treatments were found for initially deep pockets (PPD > or = 7 mm), neither for first quadrant nor for whole mouth data. CONCLUSION: The results of the present study demonstrated equally favourable clinical results following both treatment modalities.     

The effect of non-surgical periodontal therapy on peroxidase activity in diabetic patients: a case-control pilot study

Objective: To evaluate the effect of periodontal therapy on clinical parameters as well as on total salivary peroxidase (TSP) activity and myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity in the gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2) and of systemically healthy individuals.
Material and Methods: Twenty DM2 subjects with inadequate metabolic control (test group) and 20 systemically healthy individuals (control group), both groups with chronic periodontitis, were enrolled. Periodontal clinical parameters, namely periodontal probing depth (PD), clinical attachment level (CAL), visible plaque index (VPI), bleeding on probing (BOP), gingival bleeding index (GBI) and presence of suppuration (SUP), as well as TSP activity and GCF MPO activity, were assessed before and 3 months after non-surgical periodontal therapy.
Results: At baseline and 3 months post-treatment, the test group presented a higher percentage of sites with VPI and BOP ( p <0.01). MPO activity in the GCF presented lower values ( p <0.05) for the test group at both baseline and the post-treatment period. The periodontal treatment resulted in a significant improvement of most clinical and enzymatic parameters for both groups ( p <0.05).
Conclusions: In both groups, the periodontal therapy was effective in improving most clinical parameters and in reducing salivary and GCF enzymatic activity. The diabetic individuals presented lower MPO activity in the GCF.     

Clinical and microbiological study of factors determining effective scaling and root planing]

The aim of the present study was to monitor longitudinally the clinical and microbiological parameters after root debridement in order to determine the factors affecting successful and unsuccessful results. Nine patients with moderate and severe periodontitis participated. Four sites of single root with over 5-mm periodontal pockets in each quadrant were selected. The oral hygiene was controlled in all patients, then root debridement was performed without anesthesia at the three sites of the quadrants every two weeks during eight weeks. The clinical parameters consisted of plaque index, gingival index, probing depth, clinical attachment level, bleeding on probing, tooth mobility and the value of gingival crevicular fluid (GCF). The microbiological parameters such as percentages of cocci, motile rods, non-motile rods and spirochetes and the number of microorganisms were examined and the percentages of black pigmented Bacteroides (BPB) and Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans as well as the number of anaerobic colonies were counted. The results demonstrated that a reduction in the probing depth was observed in all sites except four. The successful sites clinically showed a decrease of the probing depth and GCF value and, microbiologically, reduced percentages of the spirochetes and BPB. The results indicated that the decrease of the probing depth and GCF under 50 Periotoron units in coincidence with the bacterial reduction can be used to determine the successful response of root debridement.     

Interleukin-8 and β-glucuronidase in gingival crevicular fluid

Abstract Polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) play a critical role in the host's response to the subgingival microflora. Interleukin-8 (IL-8) is a potent chemotactic and activating factor for PMN. In this study, the presence of IL-8 in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) was examined in relation to the PMN indicator β-glucuronidase (βG), as well as clinical parameters of chronic inflammatory periodontal disease. Data was obtained from 30 patients with periodontitis and 14 healthy controls. For the control group, GCF and clinical data were obtained only once. For the periodontitis patients, clinical data and GCF samples were collected prior to treatment, and GCF samples were again collected 2 weeks after scaling and root planing. Comparing control and periodontitis patients prior to treatment, IL-8 concentration was lower in the patients with periodontitis. Scaling and root planing resulted in either an increase or a decrease in total IL-8 and IL-8 concentration GCF. A reduction in total IL-8 or IL–8 concentration was accompanied by a corresponding reduction in βG activity. An increase in total IL-8 or IL-8 concentration after scaling and root planing was associated with an increase in βG activity in some patients and a reduction in βG activity in other patients. The periodontitis patients who did not demonstrate a linkage between IL-8 and βG activity in GCF were those individuals with the highest βG activity prior to treatment. As elevated βG activity in GCF has been associated with an increased risk for probing attachment loss, the absence of a direct relationship between IL-8 in GCF and PMN recruitment into the gingival crevice may characterize individuals at risk for progression of periodontitis.     

Adjunctive subantimicrobial dose doxycycline: effect on clinical parameters and gingival crevicular fluid transforming growth factor-beta levels in severe, generalized chronic periodontitis

BACKGROUND: At present there is limited data concerning the efficacy of non-surgical periodontal therapy supplemented with subantimicrobial dose doxycycline (SDD) in the treatment of severe, generalized periodontitis. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effect of adjunctive SDD therapy on clinical periodontal parameters and gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) levels in patients with severe, generalized chronic periodontitis over a 6-month period. METHODS: Thirty-five patients with severe, generalized periodontitis and 11 periodontally healthy subjects were included in the present study. Patients received full-mouth supragingival debridment at baseline and randomized to take either SDD b.i.d. or placebo b.i.d. for 3 months. Patients received root planing and oral hygiene instruction once a week for four consecutive weeks. Clinical measurements including probing depth (PD), clinical attachment level, papilla bleeding index and plaque index and GCF sampling were performed at baseline, 3 and 6 months. The GCF TGF-beta1 levels were analysed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: Thirteen patients in both study groups completed the 6-month trial. Following scaling and root planing (SRP) plus SDD and SRP plus placebo therapy significant improvements in clinical periodontal parameters of both groups were observed (p<0.025). In the SDD group a significantly higher percentage (%73.4) of deep pockets resolved (PD reduction > or =3 mm from baseline) when compared with placebo group (%49.7) at 6 months (p<0.05). At baseline there were no significant differences in GCF TGF-beta1 levels between three groups. Both total amount and concentration of GCF TGF-beta1 in SDD and placebo groups increased when compared with baseline at 3 months. However, only GCF TGF-beta1 levels of SDD group was significantly higher than baseline (p<0.025) and placebo group (p<0.017) at 3 months. At 6 months GCF TGF-beta1 levels of both groups were similar to baseline levels (p<0.025). CONCLUSIONS: These data indicate that combination of SDD with non-surgical therapy improves clinical parameters of periodontal disease and increases GCF TGF-beta1 levels together with a decrease in prevalence of residual pockets in patients with severe, generalized chronic periodontitis. Increased GCF TGF-beta1 levels following SDD therapy might suggest a novell pleiotrophic mechanism for tetracyclines to inhibit connective tissue breakdown.     

Clinical response of azithromycin as an adjunct to non-surgical periodontal therapy in smokers

BACKGROUND: Antibiotic therapy can be used in very specific periodontal treatment situations such as in refractory cases of periodontal disease found to be more prevalent in smokers. This study was designed to determine the efficacy of azithromycin (AZM) when combined with scaling and root planing (SRP) for the treatment of moderate to severe chronic periodontitis in smokers. METHODS: Thirty-one subjects were enrolled into a 6-month randomized, single-masked trial to evaluate clinical, microbial (using benzoyl- DL-arginine naphthylamine [BANA] assay), and gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) pyridinoline cross-linked carboxyterminal telopeptide of type I collagen (ICTP) levels in response to SRP alone or SRP + AZM. At baseline, patients who smoked > or =1 pack per day of cigarettes who presented with at least five sites with probing depths (PD) of > or =5 mm with bleeding on probing (BOP) were randomized into the test or control groups. At baseline and 3 and 6 months, clinical measurements (probing depth [PD], clinical attachment loss [CAL], and bleeding on probing [BOP]) were performed. GCF bone marker assessment (Ctelopeptide [ICTP] as well as BANA test analyses) were performed at baseline, 14 days, and 3 and 6 months. RESULTS: The results demonstrated that both groups displayed clinical improvements in PD and CAL that were sustained for 6 months. Using a subject-based analysis, patients treated with SRP + AZM showed enhanced reductions in PD and gains in CAL at moderate (4 to 6 mm) and deep sites (>6 mm) (P <0.05). Furthermore, SRP + AZM resulted in greater reductions in BANA levels compared to SRP alone (P <0.05) while rebounds in BANA levels were noted in control group at the 6-month evaluation. No statistically significant differences between groups on mean BOP and ICTP levels during the course of the study were noted. CONCLUSIONS: The utilization of AZM in combination with SRP improves the efficacy of non-surgical periodontal therapy in reducing probing depth and improving attachment levels in smokers with moderate to advanced attachment loss.     

米诺环素对慢性牙周炎辅助治疗的疗效观察

目的 评价牙周袋局部应用米诺环素软膏联合刮治和根面平整治疗慢性牙周炎的疗效。方法 64名患中到重度慢性牙周炎的男性吸烟者随机分成SRP和SRP+M两组。对SRP组患者施行刮治和根面平整,对SRP+M组患者在刮治和根面平整的基础上,牙周袋局部应用米诺环素软膏。记录两组患者在基线、3个月和6个月时的菌斑指数（PlI）、牙龈指数（GI）、探诊出血（BOP）、探诊深度（PD）及附着丧失（AL）的变化并进行统计学分析。结果 治疗过程中有6例患者被排除,有效病例数为58例,每组29例。牙周治疗3个月和6个月后,两组患者的PlI、GI和BOP均无统计学差异（P>0.05）,但PD和AL有统计学差异（P<0.05）。治疗后3个月SRP组PD下降1.32 mm,AL减轻1.14 mm;而SRP+M组PD下降1.98 mm,AL减轻1.87 mm。对于基线检查PD≥7 mm的深牙周袋,治疗后3个月SRP组PD下降2.21 mm,AL减轻1.23 mm;而SRP+M组PD下降3.48 mm,AL减轻2.62 mm。治疗后6个月PD和AL状况与3个月相比变化不大。与SRP组相比,SRP+M组临床症状改善更明显。结论 龈下局部应用米诺环素软膏辅助治疗慢性牙周炎可取得较好的疗效,特别是对于有深牙周袋、吸烟的牙周炎患者,机械治疗联合局部应用缓释抗菌素较单纯机械治疗的疗效更好。     

Subgingival topical doxycycline versus mechanical debridement for supportive periodontal therapy: a single blind randomized controlled two-center study

PURPOSE: To evaluate the clinical effects of topical subgingival application of a doxycycline gel compared to conventional mechanical debridement in supportive periodontal therapy. METHODS: 37 patients with residual or recurring periodontitis after systematic periodontal treatment at two centers (Heidelberg, Frankfurt) participated in this study. They had to exhibit at least one single-rooted tooth with either a probing depth (PPD) = 5 mm and bleeding-on-probing (BOP) or with PPD > or = 6 mm. The patients were randomly assigned to one of the two different treatment regimes: DOXY (exclusively subgingival application of a 14% doxycycline gel) or SRP (scaling and root planing with a sonic scaler). Clinical examinations (plaque index [P1I], PPD, vertical relative attachment level [RAL-V], gingival index [GI]) were performed before, 3, and 6 months after therapy. RESULTS: In 37 patients (19 female), aged 30-76 years with a total of 168 teeth were treated (DOXY: 79; SRP: 89). Six months after therapy, both groups exhibited statistically significant (P< 0.001) reductions of PPD (DOXY: -1.43 +/- 0.22 mm; SRP: -1.14 +/- 0.18 mm) and gains of RAL-V (DOXY: 0.79 +/- 0.22 mm; SRP: 0.72 +/- 0.19 mm). Multilevel regression analyses, considering the therapy of different numbers of teeth in different patients, failed to show statistically significant differences concerning PPD reduction and RAL-V gain between both therapies (DOXY/SRP). For both therapies, PPD reduction was significantly better in deeper pockets (PPD > or = 7 mm) than in shallow pockets (PPD: 5-6 mm).     

Effect of a controlled-release chlorhexidine chip on clinical and microbiological parameters and prostaglandin E2 levels in gingival crevicular fluid

BACKGROUND: The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of a chlorhexidine chip on crevicular prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) levels and on the clinical and microbiological parameters of periodontitis when used as adjunctive therapy to scaling and root planing (SRP) in patients with chronic periodontitis. METHODS: This randomized single-blind study was carried out in parallel design. The test group received SRP plus chlorhexidine chip, whereas the control group received SRP alone. Thirty-four subjects, aged 20 to 55 years, with chronic periodontitis were recruited. Clinical indices, microbiological samples, and gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) samples were evaluated at baseline and after 1, 3, and 6 months. Microbiological samples were evaluated under a light microscope. GCF PGE2 levels were determined using radioimmunoassay. RESULTS: Significant improvements could be found for all clinical variables in both groups over the study period. The mean changes in probing depth obtained by SRP plus chlorhexidine chip were greater than those obtained by the SRP alone group at 3 and 6 months. In the test group, there was also significant gain in clinical attachment level at 6 months. When data were combined from all groups, significant reductions in GCF PGE2 levels and number of microorganisms were noted at all time points. However, in the test group, reduction was greater at 6 months for crevicular PGE2 level and at 3 and 6 months for proportions of spirochetes. CONCLUSION: Based on the findings of this study, the chlorhexidine chip reduced GCF PGE2 levels and had positive effects on clinical parameters and subgingival flora when used as adjunctive therapy to SRP in patients with chronic periodontitis.     

Detection of herpetic viruses in gingival crevicular fluid of patients suffering from periodontal diseases: prevalence and effect of treatment

Background/Aim:  Although the role of bacteria in the etiology of periodontitis is well established, it has been suggested that herpetic viruses could contribute to the initiation and progression of this disease. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV), Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) and herpes simplex virus (HSV) in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) samples obtained from periodontally healthy, gingivitis and periodontitis patients. In addition, the effect of periodontal treatment (scaling and root planing) on the persistence of herpetic viruses was evaluated in a sub-group of patients suffering from chronic periodontitis.
Methods:  The presence of viruses in GCF samples was assessed by a nested PCR amplification technique. The persistence of viruses in periodontal sites was evaluated following a scaling and root planing therapy.
Results:  A statistically significant higher prevalence of HCMV was observed in periodontitis patients as compared to healthy control subjects (35 vs. 8%, respectively; P  = 0.0377). A trend for a higher prevalence of HSV was also noted in the periodontitis group, in comparison with healthy control subjects. In addition, a higher prevalence of HCMV was associated with deep periodontal pockets in subjects suffering from periodontitis. In the sub-group of periodontitis patients, periodontal therapy resulted in the elimination (HCMV and EBV) or reduction (HSV) of the herpetic viruses.
Conclusions:  This study showed that the prevalence of HCMV and HSV viruses in GCF is higher in patients suffering from periodontitis compared to periodontally healthy subjects, and that the prevalence of HCMV is higher in deep periodontal pockets. It also brought evidences that periodontal therapy may be associated with virus elimination in diseased sites.     

Comparative evaluation of adjunctive oral irrigation in diabetics

AIM: The purpose of this study was to assess the response of diabetics to scaling and root planing treatment and subgingival oral irrigation as adjunctive therapy. METHOD: A total of 52 type 1 and 2 diabetics (mean age 51.3+/-14) with adult periodontitis were randomized to two groups. Treatment included ultrasonic scaling and scaling and root planing in both groups (control and test) plus subgingival water irrigation 2x daily for the test group. Assessments were made prior to and at 6 and 12 weeks after treatment. Parameters measured were modified gingival index (MGI), probing pocket depth (PPD), plaque index (PI), clinical attachment level (CAL), and bleeding on probing (BOP). Systemic measurement of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) generation, cytokines (TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, IL-10, and PGE2), and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1C). RESULTS: After treatment, analysis of data showed that both groups had clinical and systemic improvement. The test group had a statistically significant reduction for MGI, PI, and BOP compared to controls (p<0.03) at 12 weeks and for ROS generation at 12 weeks (p<0.012). Unlike controls, systemic analysis of cytokines showed a statistically significant reduction from baseline for IL-1beta at 6 weeks and PGE2 at 6 and 12 weeks (p<0.05) within test group. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that scaling and root planing and adjunctive therapy may be of value in establishing a healthy periodontium in diabetics.     

One stage full- versus partial-mouth disinfection in the treatment of chronic adult or generalized early-onset periodontitis. I. Long-term clinical observations.

BACKGROUND: A standard treatment strategy for periodontal infections often consists of 4 consecutive sessions of scaling and root planing (per quadrant, at 1- to 2-week intervals), without proper disinfection of the remaining intra-oral niches for periodontopathogens. This could theoretically lead to a reinfection of previously disinfected pockets by bacteria from an untreated region/niche. This study aimed to investigate, over an 8-month period, the clinical benefits of a one stage full-mouth disinfection in the control of severe periodontitis. METHODS: Sixteen patients with early-onset periodontitis and 24 patients with severe adult periodontitis were randomly assigned to test and control groups. The control group was scaled and root planed, per quadrant, at 2-week intervals and given standard oral hygiene instructions. A one stage full-mouth disinfection (test group) was sought by scaling and root planing the 4 quadrants within 24 hours in combination with the application of chlorhexidine to all intra-oral niches for periodontopathogens. Besides oral hygiene, the test group also rinsed twice daily with a 0.2% chlorhexidine solution and sprayed the tonsils with a 0.2% chlorhexidine spray, for 2 months. The plaque index, gingival index, probing depth, bleeding on probing, gingival recession, and clinical attachment level were recorded at baseline and at 1, 2, 4, and 8 months afterwards. RESULTS: The one stage full-mouth disinfection resulted, in comparison to the standard therapy, in a significant (P <0.001) additional probing depth reduction and gain in attachment up to 8 months. For initial pockets > or =7 mm, the "additional" probing depth reduction at the 8 month follow-up was 1.2 mm for single-rooted and 0.9 mm for multi-rooted teeth, with corresponding additional gains in attachment of 1.0 mm and 0.8 mm, respectively. The additional improvements were observed for all subgroups (adult periodontitis, generalized early-onset cases, smokers), with the largest differences in the non-smoking adult periodontitis patients. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that a one stage full-mouth disinfection results in an improved clinical outcome for the treatment of chronic adult or early-onset periodontitis as compared to scaling and root planing per quadrant at 2-week intervals.     

A randomized clinical trial on the clinical and microbiological efficacy of a xanthan gel with chlorhexidine for subgingival use

Background

The main indication of the adjunctive use of local antimicrobials lies around situations in which the outcome of non-surgical mechanical treatment results in a limited number of residual pockets. The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate the clinical and microbiological effects of the subgingival application of a xanthan-based 1.5% chlorhexidine (CHX) gel (Xan–CHX), adjunctive to scaling and root planing (SRP) in localized periodontitis.

Methods

Periodontitis patients with four to ten residual (after conventional SRP) or relapsing (during supportive periodontal treatment) pockets were recruited and randomized to receive SRP plus the subgingival application of (Xan–CHX) or SRP plus a placebo gel. Supragingival plaque, bleeding on probing (BOP), probing pocket depth (PPD), and clinical attachment level were evaluated with a computerized probe at baseline, and after 1, 3, and 6 months. Subgingival samples were also collected for the microbiological analysis. Statistical analysis used ANOVA and chi-square tests.

Results

Overall, the clinical results were better in the test group, with significant changes in BOP (between baseline and 3 months) and with a significant increase in the proportion of shallow pockets (1–3 mm) at 6 months. These results did not result in significant intergroup differences. The microbiological impact was limited in both treatment groups.

Conclusion

The adjunctive use of Xan–CHX may improve, although to a limited extent, the clinical outcomes (BOP and PPD), in chronic periodontitis patients with “residual” or “relapsing” pockets, but no significant differences were detected between groups. No side effects, neither clinical nor microbiological, were detected after the use of the test product.

Clinical relevance

Adjunctive use of slow-released chlorhexidine might be considered in the management of periodontal disease and gingival inflammation to reduce the need for periodontal surgery.     

The effect of adjunctive low-dose doxycycline therapy on clinical parameters and gingival crevicular fluid matrix metalloproteinase-8 levels in chronic periodontitis

BACKGROUND: Low-dose doxycycline (LDD) is recognized to have non-antimicrobial properties that can therapeutically modulate the host response. The aim of the present randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-arm study was to examine the effectiveness of LDD in combination with non-surgical periodontal therapy, compared to non-surgical periodontal therapy alone, on gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) matrix metalloproteinase-8 (MMP-8) levels and clinical parameters over a 12-month period in patients with chronic periodontitis. METHODS: GCF samples were collected, and clinical parameters including probing depth (PD), clinical attachment level, gingival index (GI), and plaque index were recorded. Thirty chronic periodontitis patients were randomized either to a low-dose doxycycline (LDD) or placebo group. The LDD group received low-dose doxycycline (20 mg) b.i.d. for 3 months plus scaling and root planing (SRP), while the placebo group was given placebo capsules b.i.d. for 3 months plus SRP. The patients were evaluated every 3 months during the 12-month study period. At each visit, all clinical measurements and GCF sampling were repeated. GCF MMP-8 levels were determined by a time-resolved immunofluorescence assay. Intragroup comparisons were tested by the Friedman test followed by Wilcoxon signed-rank test to analyze significance of changes over time. The Mann-Whitney test was used to determine differences between the LDD and placebo groups. RESULTS: Significant improvements were observed in all clinical parameters in both groups over the 12-month period (P < 0.0125). The LDD group showed a significantly greater reduction in mean PD scores at 9 and 12 months and in mean GI scores at all time points than the placebo group (P < 0.05). From baseline to 12 months, GCF MMP-8 levels were significantly reduced in both groups (P < 0.0125). The GCF MMP-8 level in the LDD group was significantly lower than that of the placebo group at 6 months (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The present results indicate that low-dose doxycycline therapy in combination with scaling and root planing can reduce GCF MMP-8 levels and improve clinical periodontal parameters in patients with chronic periodontitis. These results provide additional information about the usefulness of low-dose doxycycline therapy as an adjunct to non-surgical periodontal therapy in the long-term management of periodontal disease. The effectiveness and course of low-dose doxycycline therapy can be monitored conveniently by assessing GCF MMP-8 levels.     

Locally delivered doxycycline as an adjunctive therapy to scaling and root planing in the treatment of smokers: a clinical study

BACKGROUND: The aim of this clinical study was to evaluate the association of locally delivered doxycycline (10%) with scaling and root planing in the periodontal treatment of smokers. METHODS: Forty-three patients with chronic periodontitis and a minimum of four pockets (> or = 5 mm) on anterior teeth that bled on probing were selected. Patients were randomly assigned to scaling and root planing (SRP) or scaling and root planing followed by local application of doxycycline (SRP-D). Plaque, bleeding on probing, gingival recession, relative attachment level (RAL), and probing depth (PD) were recorded at baseline, 45 days, and 3 and 6 months. Differences between baseline and each period were considered for analysis. RESULTS: At 6 months, no difference was found between groups regarding plaque, bleeding reduction, gingival recession or PD (P > 0.05). However, RAL gain was greater for SRP-D (1.63 +/- 0.93 mm) than for SRP (1.04 +/- 0.71 mm) (P = 0.025). In addition, deep pockets (> or = 7 mm) showed a significant reduction (3.78 +/- 1.41 versus 2.60 +/- 1.28 mm, P = 0.039) and RAL gain (2.54 +/- 1.27 mm versus 1.29 +/- 0.95 mm, P = 0.01) when doxycycline was applied. The proportion of sites showing RAL gain of 1 to 2 mm was 36.8% versus 21.7% for SRP-D and SRP, respectively (P = 0.01). CONCLUSION: The use of locally delivered doxycycline may constitute an important adjunct for the treatment of severe periodontal disease in smokers.     

Short-term clinical effects of adjunctive antimicrobial photodynamic therapy in periodontal treatment: a randomized clinical trial

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the effect of adjunctive antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) in chronic periodontitis. Material and Methods: Twenty patients with untreated chronic periodontitis were included. All teeth received periodontal treatment comprising scaling and root planing. Using a split‐mouth design, two quadrants (test group) were additionally treated with aPDT. Sulcus fluid flow rate (SFFR) and bleeding on probing (BOP) were assessed at baseline, 1 week and 3 months after treatment. Relative attachment level (RAL), probing depths (PDs) and gingival recession (GR) were evaluated at baseline and 3 months after treatment. Results: Baseline median values for PD, GR and RAL were not different in the test group and control group. Values for RAL, PD, SFFR and BOP decreased significantly 3 months after treatment in the control group (median delta RAL: ?0.35 mm, inter‐quartile range: 0.21 mm), with a higher impact on the sites treated with adjunctive aPDT (median delta RAL: ?0.67 mm, inter‐quartile range: 0.36 mm, p<0.05). GR increased 3 months after treatment with and without adjunctive aPDT (p<0.05), with no difference between the groups (p>0.05). Conclusions: In patients with chronic periodontitis, clinical outcomes of conventional subgingival debridement can be improved by adjunctive aPDT.     

Changes of alpha1-protease inhibitor and secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor levels in gingival crevicular fluid before and after non-surgical periodontal treatment

OBJECTIVES: The possible contribution of alpha1-protease inhibitor (alpha1-PI) and secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor (SLPI) in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) to predict the periodontal disease activity was evaluated. DESIGN: GCF samples were collected at each site before scaling and root planning (SRP), 2 and 4 weeks after SRP. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Forty-one sites that initially bled on probing in 21 patients with moderate to severe periodontitis were studied. Sites were classified according to the presence or absence of bleeding on probing (BOP) at 4 weeks. In GCF alpha1-PI and SLPI were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. RESULTS: A significant decrease was observed in alpha1-PI at 2 and 4 weeks in BOP(-) sites and at 4 weeks in BOP(+) sites. SLPI significantly increased at 2 weeks in BOP(+) site, while SLPI did not significantly differ at both time points in BOP(-) sites and at 4 weeks in BOP(+) sites. GCF alpha1-PI was significantly less at 2 weeks in BOP(-) than in BOP(+) sites. CONCLUSION: At 2 weeks GCF alpha1-PI may reflect the healing response of the periodontal tissues following nonsurgical periodontal treatment. GCF SLPI levels may be influenced by healing.