Systematic review on the effect of rinsing with povidone‐iodine during nonsurgical periodontal therapy

Sahrmann P, Puhan MA, Attin T, Schmidlin PR. Systematic review on the effect of rinsing with povidone‐iodine during nonsurgical periodontal therapy. J Periodont Res 2010;.doi: 10.1111/j.1600‐0765.2009.01232.x. © 2009 The Authors. Journal compilation © 2009 Blackwell Munksgaard Background and Objective: The existing literature is inconsistent regarding whether there is any additional effect of povidone‐iodine (PVP‐iodine) as an adjunctive to scaling and root planing, and, if there is an effect, what its size is. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the additional effect of PVP‐iodine as an adjunct to scaling and root planing compared with water, saline or no rinse in the treatment of chronic periodontitis. Material and methods: An electronic literature search of the databases PubMed, EMBASE and the Cochrane Central Library, and a handsearch, were performed (up to November 2008). Two reviewers independently identified and selected screened abstracts for possible inclusion, and assessed randomized, controlled clinical trials comparing the additional benefit of PVP‐iodine with water, saline rinsing or no rinsing in the nonsurgical periodontal therapy of patients with chronic periodontitis. A fixed‐effects meta‐analysis was conducted in the absence of statistically significant heterogeneity. Results: A small, but statistically significant additional beneficial effect of the adjunctive use of PVP‐iodine with enhanced probing pocket depth reductions of 0.28 mm (95% confidence interval: 0.08 to 0.48, p = 0.007) was found. There was no significant heterogeneity between studies (I² = 0%). However, most of the studies included in the meta‐analysis were of low quality, and the treatment modalities showed various differences such as the use of PVP‐iodine at different concentrations and application modalities. Nevertheless, single‐rooted teeth, in particular, showed an additional benefit after scaling and root planing with PVP‐iodine, particularly when the treatment was repeated during the healing stage. Conclusion: The adjunctive use of PVP‐iodine during scaling and root planing may increase the clinical pocket depth reduction, although the clinical significance is small to moderate.     

Commentary: Is There Clinical Benefit From Using a Diode or Neodymium:Yttrium‐Aluminum‐Garnet Laser in the Treatment of Periodontitis?

Despite a quarter of a century of laser research, there is a persistent debate regarding the efficacy of dental lasers in the treatment of periodontitis or periodontal maintenance therapy. There are many claims and much hyperbole surrounding the use of lasers, either as a monotherapy or adjunctive to scaling and root planing, to treat periodontitis. There is little evidence that using a diode or neodymium:yttrium‐aluminum‐garnet laser adds clinical value over and above conventional non‐surgical or surgical periodontal treatment. There is a significant need for better designed human clinical trials. Data from such trials should be analyzed according to initial probing depth and characteristics of the treated sites, such as non‐molar, molar flat surfaces, and molar furcations, and evaluated for long‐term post‐treatment results.     

Microbiological and clinical effects of surgical treatment of localized juvenile periodontitis

Since Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans appears to be a key etiologic agent in localized juvenile periodontitis, this study determined the effectiveness of different treatment modalities in suppressing A. actinomycetemcomitans in localized juvenile periodontitis lesions. A total of 25 deep periodontal lesions from 7 patients with localized juvenile periodontitis were included in the study. The test periodontal lesions either received scaling and root planing alone, scaling and root planing together with soft tissue curettage, or modified Widman flap surgery. Subgingival A. actinomycetemcomitans were enumerated using selective culturing. Clinical measurements included changes in probing periodontal attachment level, probing periodontal pocket depth, gingival index, plaque index, and digital subtraction of standardized serial radiographs. The microbiological and clinical effects of treatment were monitored over a period of 16 weeks. All periodontal lesions studied demonstrated high numbers of A. actinomycetemcomitans prior to treatment. Scaling and root planing alone did not markedly change the subgingival A. actinomycetemcomitans counts, nor any of the clinical parameters studied. In contrast, soft tissue curettage as well as modified Widman flap surgery suppressed A. actinomycetemcomitans to undetectable levels immediately after therapy in more than 80% of the lesions studied. A total of 5 periodontal lesions exhibited gain of probing periodontal attachment after subgingival curettage or Widman flap treatment; 3 of these sites revealed no detectable A. actinomycetemcomitans, and the remaining 2 sites harbored only low levels of A. actinomycetemcomitans. 5 periodontal lesions which lost probing attachment after treatment all demonstrated high numbers of subgingival A. actinomycetemcomitans. Changes in alveolar bone, assessed by digital subtraction of serial radiographs, correlated with changes in probing periodontal attachment level, confirming the clinical results. The present study revealed a close relationship between post-treatment A. actinomycetemcomitans levels and the clinical response to treatment, which supports the concept that A. actinomycetemcomitans is an important organism in the etiology of localized juvenile periodontitis. This study also showed that a substantial suppression of subgingival A. actinomycetemcomitans cannot be achieved by periodontal scaling and root planing alone, but can be accomplished by surgical removal of periodontal tissues.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

Efficacy of Local Antimicrobials in the Non‐Surgical Treatment of Patients With Periodontitis and Diabetes: A Systematic Review

Background: Patients with diabetes present a worse response to periodontal treatment. Local antimicrobials as an adjunct to scaling and root planing (SRP) provide additional benefits in the treatment of periodontitis in healthy patients. This review aims to evaluate the effects of local antimicrobials as an adjunct to SRP, compared with SRP alone, on periodontal clinical parameters of patients with chronic periodontitis (CP) and diabetes mellitus (DM). Methods: Only randomized controlled trials with: 1) at least 6 months of follow‐up; 2) SRP, in combination with local antimicrobials; and 3) patients with periodontitis and DM were considered eligible. MEDLINE, EMBASE, and LILACS databases were searched for articles published up to January 2016. Random‐effects meta‐analyses were conducted for clinical attachment level (CAL), probing depth (PD), bleeding on probing, and gingival index change after treatment. Results: Of 153 papers potentially relevant to this review, six were included. The majority of trials showed a significant PD reduction and CAL gain associated with use of local antimicrobials in patients with type 1 and type 2 DM. Only studies that included well‐controlled patients and applied antimicrobials at the deepest sites or sites with baseline PD ≥5 mm presented significant PD reduction and CAL gain. Conclusion: In patients with DM and CP, use of local antimicrobials as an adjunct to SRP may result in additional benefits compared with SRP alone in PD reduction and CAL gain, especially in well‐controlled individuals and deep sites.     

Effect of scaling and root planing on interleukin-1β, interleukin-8 and MMP-8 levels in gingival crevicular fluid from chronic periodontitis patients

Konopka ?, Pietrzak A, Brzezińska‐B?aszczyk E. Effect of scaling and root planing on interleukin‐1β, interleukin‐8 and MMP‐8 levels in gingival crevicular fluid from chronic periodontitis patients. J Periodont Res 2012; 47: 681–688. © 2012 John Wiley & Sons A/S Background and Objective: There are few data concerning the effect of scaling and root planing on the levels of immune and inflammatory mediators in gingival crevicular fluid from patients with chronic periodontitis. Therefore, in this study the influence of scaling and root planing was determined on amounts of interleukin (IL)‐1β, IL‐8 and MMP‐8 in gingival crevicular fluid from patients with chronic periodontitis, in relation to clinical parameters. Material and Methods: A total of 51 patients were enrolled in this study. The study population consisted of 30 patients with generalized advanced chronic periodontitis, while 21 periodontally healthy subjects were recruited for the control group. The clinical parameters included approximal plaque index, gingival index, pocket depth and clinical attachment loss. The amounts of IL‐1β, IL‐8 and MMP‐8 in gingival crevicular fluid were measured by ELISA. Periodontal parameters as well as gingival crevicular fluid humoral factor amounts were evaluated in the control group and in chronic periodontitis patients at baseline and at 1 and 4 wk after scaling and root planing treatment. Results: At baseline, there were significant differences between control subjects and chronic periodontitis patients in terms of clinical attachment loss, pocket depth, gingival index (p < 0.001) and approximal plaque index (p < 0.01). The amounts of IL‐1β, MMP‐8 (p < 0.001) and IL‐8 (p < 0.01) in gingival crevicular fluid were significantly lower in healthy subjects than in chronic periodontitis patients. Scaling and root planing led to improvement in all examined clinical parameters, apart from clinical attachment loss. Periodontal treatment also resulted in a significant decrease in the amounts of IL‐1β, IL‐8 and MMP‐8 in comparison to baseline, especially 4 wk after scaling and root planing (p < 0.001); however, the amounts of these humoral factors were still higher than those in control group. Conclusion: Our observations indicated that short‐term nonsurgical therapy resulted in a significant improvement in periodontal indices and in a marked decrease of IL‐1β, IL‐8 and MMP‐8 gingival crevicular fluid levels. Nevertheless, no significant correlations were found between clinical parameters and amounts of humoral factors after therapy.     

Serum C‐Reactive Protein and Immunoglobulin G Antibodies to Periodontal Pathogens May Be Effect Modifiers of Periodontitis and Hyperglycemia

Background: Serum C‐reactive protein (CRP) is elevated in both periodontitis and type 2 diabetes mellitus through inflammation. Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans and Porphyromonas gingivalis have been found in periodontal pockets in patients with diabetes. This study examines effect modification by examining the extent to which the associations between periodontitis and hyperglycemia were different by levels of serum CRP and periodontal pathogens. Methods: Blood samples with plasma were evaluated for immunoglobulin G antibodies, CRP, and fasting glucose from 5,731 participants ≥20 years old receiving oral examinations and providing other health‐related data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey III. The study participants were classified into quartiles of probing depth (PD) and clinical attachment level (CAL). The first quartile was the reference. Logistic regression models with survey procedures were used to explore the roles of inflammation levels from serum CRP and periodontal pathogens on the relations with periodontitis, including PD, CAL, and hyperglycemia, and their joint associations with interaction terms. Results: Stronger associations between PD and diabetes existed in people having elevated CRP and titers for P. gingivalis; odds ratios comparing extreme quartiles of PD were 1.31 and 3.40 in the groups with low and high CRP, respectively, and 1.28 and 2.96 in groups with low and high titers for P. gingivalis, respectively. The joint association patterns were similar for CAL and diabetes. Conclusions: The strengths of association between periodontitis and diabetes were stronger in people having elevated serum CRP and P. gingivalis titers. This may suggest that chronic inflammatory conditions could increase the impact of periodontitis on hyperglycemic status.     

Combined photodynamic and low‐level laser therapies as an adjunct to nonsurgical treatment of chronic periodontitis

Lui J, Corbet EF, Jin L. Combined photodynamic and low‐level laser therapies as an adjunct to nonsurgical treatment of chronic periodontitis. J Periodont Res 2011; 46: 89–96. © 2010 John Wiley & Sons A/S Background and Objective: In recent years, there has been a growing interest in the use of dental lasers for treatment of periodontal diseases. The purpose of this short‐term clinical trial was to evaluate the effects of a combination of photodynamic therapy with low‐level laser therapy as an adjunct to nonsurgical treatment of chronic periodontitis. Material and Methods: Twenty‐four nonsmoking adults with untreated chronic periodontitis were randomly assigned in a split‐mouth design to receive scaling and root debridement with or without one course of adjunctive photodynamic therapy and low‐level laser therapy within 5 d. Plaque, bleeding on probing, probing depth and gingival recession were recorded at baseline, 1 and 3 mo after the treatment. Gingival crevicular fluid was collected for assay of interleukin‐1β levels at baseline, 1 wk and 1 mo. Results: The test teeth achieved greater reductions in the percentage of sites with bleeding on probing and in mean probing depth at 1 mo compared with the control teeth (p < 0.05). A significant decrease in gingival crevicular fluid volume was observed in both groups at 1 wk (p < 0.001), with a further decrease at 1 mo in the test sites (p < 0.05). The test sites showed a greater reduction of interleukin‐1β levels in gingival crevicular fluid at 1 wk than the control sites (p < 0.05). No significant differences in periodontal parameters were found between the test and control teeth at 3 mo. Conclusions: The present study suggests that a combined course of photodynamic therapy with low‐level laser therapy could be a beneficial adjunct to nonsurgical treatment of chronic periodontitis on a short‐term basis. Further studies are required to assess the long‐term effectiveness of the combination of photodynamic therapy with low‐level laser therapy as an adjunct in nonsurgical treatment of periodontitis.     

Periodontics in general practice: perspectives on nonsurgical therapy

Clinical studies have shown that nonsurgical treatment is a highly effective method of periodontal therapy. It can be instituted in both shallow and deep pockets; however, an objective evaluation of post-scaling soft tissue changes should be recorded to determine the response to therapy. Closed scaling and root planing has limitations as a definitive procedure for the removal of calculus from deep pockets and surgical treatment may be indicated for nonresponding sites. The condition of the tissue, not the probing depth, should dictate the course of action. During maintenance therapy all practitioners should recognize unsuccessfully treated or recurrent periodontitis and provide interceptive treatment to avoid a case of "supervised neglect." Periodontal treatments should be provided by the general practitioner. This can result in improved oral health for the patients and constitute a professionally rewarding part of dental practice.     

非手术方法治疗侵袭性牙周炎临床疗效观察

目的探讨非手术方法治疗侵袭性牙周炎的临床效果。方法选择广泛型侵袭性牙周炎患者15例,进行口腔卫生宣教、龈上洁治、龈下刮治和根面平整,并蹲服罗红霉素和甲硝唑1周。分别于治疗前和治疗后3、6、12、18个月检查及记录出血指数、探诊深度和附着水平,并进行分析比较。结果出血指数、探诊深度和附着水平在治疗前分别为3．37±0．56、（5.83±1．68）mm．（6．78±1．50）mm,治疗后18个月下降为（0．69±0．48）mm、（2．15±0．45）mm、（4．60±0．78）mm,差异均有统计学意义（P=0.000）。结论广泛型侵袭性牙周炎患者经过牙周非手术治疗后可以取得良好的治疗效果,并且疗效较为稳定。     

Comparative clinical responses related to the use of various periodontal instrumentation

AIM: The aim of this study was to evaluate in vivo the effectiveness of scaling and root planing of a power-driven mechanism compared with hand instruments and ultrasonic insert alone with a split-mouth design after 3 and 6 months. METHODS: Healing events after initial periodontal therapy were investigated in 20 patients with moderate-to-severe adult periodontitis. Plaque index (PlI), bleeding on probing (PBI), probing pocket depth (PPD), probing attachment level (PAL) and number of moderate and deep pockets (NMP, NDP) were recorded at baseline and 3 and 6 months after treatment. Oral hygiene instruction was provided for each patient. Randomly assigned quadrants per patient were scaled and root planed with hand instrumentation (curettes, hoes and files), with reciprocating power-driven instruments, with ultrasonic scaler alone and with the combined use of ultrasonic scaler and power-driven inserts. The Friedman test was applied to test the significance of difference between the various methods of root instrumentation. Repeated measures of analysis of variance (manova) were used to analyse the time effect on the different treatments. RESULTS: At the 6-month evaluation, all groups in the scaling and root planing treatment presented with an improvement in the measured clinical parameters, as compared with baseline. No statistical differences (p>0.05) were observed in the assessed periodontal indices among the study sites between the four groups for either treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Under our experimental conditions, this clinical study demonstrates that mechanized root planing with power-driven instruments, as effective as the usual procedures (hand and sonic instruments), represents a satisfactory and alternative means of nonsurgical root therapy.     

Treatment trends in periodontics

This volume of Periodontology 2000, entitled “Treatment Trends in Periodontics”, evaluates the importance of nonsurgical periodontal therapy and defines its role as the key etiologic treatment of the disease. The need for scaling and root planing is mandatory step during the initial phase of therapy, as is self‐care by the patient. Only after reevaluation of the outcome achieved by nonsurgical procedures should surgery be considered, and the concept of “critical probing depth” is emphasized. The chapters in this volume discuss different aspects of periodontal surgery, including regeneration and plastic periodontal procedures, and, looking toward the future, cell therapy in periodontics is explored. The impact of periodontal therapy on systemic diseases is reviewed, and the role of occlusion in periodontal disease is revisited and discussed. Topics on implants include their placement in fresh extraction sockets, socket healing with or without implant placement, and research on osseointegration. The important topic of maintenance care of teeth and implants for long‐term therapeutic success is thoroughly evaluated, as is the efficacy of dentifrices in oral hygiene. The editors convey a nutshell review of the concepts of what periodontal treatment should entail, based on scientific evidence generated during half‐a‐century of work in periodontics.     

Topically applied minocycline microspheres: why it works

This article presents the results of a single-arm, open-label, multicenter clinical trial of the topical use of sustained-release minocycline hydrochloride (HCl) microspheres as an adjunct to scaling and root planing. The objective of this study was to evaluate the long-term safety and efficacy of the subgingival application of resorbable minocycline microspheres as an adjunct to scaling and root planing in the treatment of chronic periodontitis. The primary outcome measures were the reduction in probing pocket depth at 9- and 12-month evaluations, and the percent of bleeding upon probing. A total of 173 patients with moderate-to-severe chronic periodontitis were enrolled in this multicenter clinical trial. All patients received full-mouth scaling and root planing plus minocycline microspheres in all periodontal pockets that probed > or = 5 mm. All sites treated at baseline and any new sites > or = 5 mm again received minocycline microspheres at 3- and 6-month follow-up appointments with no further scaling and root planing. Significant improvements in all clinical parameters measured were found at all time points (1, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months). The product was found to be well-tolerated by patients, safe, and easy to deliver. Scaling and root planing with the topical application of minocycline microspheres appeared to give better results than would have been expected with scaling and root planing alone.     

Meta-analysis of the effect of scaling and root planing,surgical treatment and antibiotic therapies on periodontal probing depth and attachment loss

OBJECTIVE: This paper reports a meta-analysis of studies that have investigated the effect of scaling and root planing on periodontal probing depth and attachment loss. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The criteria used for inclusion of studies were as follows: root planing and scaling alone was one of the primary treatment arms; patients or quadrants of each patient were randomly assigned to study groups; 80% of patients enrolled were included in first year follow-up examinations; periodontal probing depth and attachment loss were reported in mm; the sample size of each study and substudy was reported. Sample size was used to weight the relative contribution of each study since standard errors were not reported by many studies and sample size is highly correlated with standard error and therefore statistically able to explain a substantial portion of the standard error on studies that use similar measures. RESULTS: The meta-analysis results show that periodontal probing depth and gain of attachment level do not improve significantly following root planing and scaling for patients with shallow initial periodontal probing depths. However, there was about a 1-mm reduction for medium initial periodontal probing depths and a 2-mm reduction for deep initial periodontal probing depths. Similarly, there was about a 0.50-mm gain in attachment for medium initial periodontal probing depth measurements and slightly more than a l-mm gain in attachment for deep initial periodontal probing depth measurements. Surgical therapy for patients with deep initial probing depths showed better results than scaling and root planing in reducing probing depths. When patients were followed up over 3 years or more, these differences were reduced to less than 0.4 mm. Antibiotic therapy showed similar results to scaling and root planing. However, a consistent improvement in periodontal probing depth and gain of attachment is demonstrated when local antibiotic therapy is combined with root planing and scaling.     

The role of systemic antibiotics in periodontal therapy

The Specific Plaque Hypothesis (SPH) has resulted in a renewed interest in the use of systemic antibiotics in the treatment of periodontal disease. Current data indicate that most cases of periodontitis can be treated satisfactorily with scaling and root planing alone. There are some cases of periodontitis however which remain refractory to mechanical debridement or which recur shortly after treatment. The data indicate that the use of antibiotics along with scaling and root planing during the treatment of these cases of periodontitis will result in significant improvement in the periodontal health of these patients. Antibiotics may also be indicated in patients with systemic diseases which may adversely affect the periodontium.     

The significance of prior mechanical therapy for changes of periodontal status achieved by local delivery of a doxycyclinehyclate containing gel

AIM: The purpose of this retrospective analysis was to examine what effect, if any, the time elapsed between an individual's last episode of scaling and root planing and subsequent treatment with a sustained-release doxycycline hyclate gel (DH) alone or scaling and root planing alone (SRP) would have upon adult periodontitis. METHODS: A total of 207 subjects were included in the DH group and 210 patients in the SRP group. Periodontitis was defined as those sites which presented with pocket depths > or =5 mm and exhibited bleeding upon probing. In both DH and SRP groups, 3 sub-groups of subjects were identified according to their last episode of scaling and root planing prior to the study baseline: within 2 to 6 months, >6 but < or =12 months, and one or more times in their life but not within the last 12 months. Each study site was treated twice over a 9-month study period, once at baseline and again at 4 months. Data from the study sites at 4, 6, and 9 months were then evaluated for changes in probing depth, clinical attachment level, and bleeding upon probing. RESULTS: At the 9-month evaluation, all sub-groups in the DH and SRP treatment arms presented with improvement in the measured clinical parameters, as compared to baseline. No significant differences were observed in the measured periodontal indices among the study sites between the three sub-groups for either treatment. CONCLUSIONS: It is concluded that the time interval since the last episode of scaling and root planing had no observable effect on the results achieved when treating periodontitis sites with locally delivered doxycycline hyclate alone or scaling and root planing alone. The treatment of periodontitis sites with locally delivered doxycycline hyclate resulted in clinical improvement comparable to scaling and root planing irrespective of the patient's prophylaxis frequency.     

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.     

Comparison of Glycated Hemoglobin Levels in Individuals Without Diabetes and With and Without Periodontitis Before and After Non‐Surgical Periodontal Therapy

Background: Only a few studies have examined the association between periodontitis and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels in individuals without diabetes. The aim of this study is to compare HbA1c levels in individuals without diabetes and with and without periodontitis before and after non‐surgical periodontal therapy. Methods: This comparative study was done on individuals without diabetes who were 35 to 65 years old. Group A consisted of 30 individuals without periodontitis, and group B consisted of 30 individuals with periodontitis. Body mass indices and clinical parameters, including oral hygiene index‐simplified (OHI‐S) score, gingival index (GI), probing depth (PD), clinical attachment level (CAL), and HbA1c level, of all participants were recorded. All participants received non‐surgical periodontal therapy (scaling and root planing). After 3 months, all participants were reexamined, and clinical parameters and HbA1c levels were evaluated and compared to baseline values. Results: There were significant differences between group A and group B in regard to baseline OHI‐S, GI, PD, and HbA1c (P <0.05). There was no clinical attachment loss in group A, either at baseline or after 3 months. At the end of 3 months, group B showed improvement in all clinical parameters (P <0.05) and their HbA1c levels also significantly decreased (P <0.05), although the values never reached those of group A. Conclusion: The HbA1c levels of individuals without diabetes and with periodontitis (group B) were significantly reduced 3 months after non‐surgical periodontal therapy, although they never reached the same levels as those of the individuals without diabetes or periodontitis (group A).     

Laser assisted periodontics: A review of the literature

Over the years, the use of the laser within health field and more particularly dentistry has been increasing and improving. The application of laser in the periodontal treatment takes part of a non-surgical and surgical approaches, is used for the decontamination of periodontal pockets due to its bactericidal effect, and the removal of granulation tissues, inflamed and diseased epithelium lining, bacterial deposits and subgingival calculus. However in spite of all the marketing surrounding, the use of laser highlighting its beneficial effect, the capacity of laser to replace the conventional treatment for chronic periodontitis is still debatable. In fact there is no evidence that any laser system adds substantial clinical value above conventional treatments of chronic periodontitis. Some studies showed a significant positive effect on clinical attachment level gain and probing depth reduction. In the other hand, several articles demonstrated no evidence of the superior effectiveness of laser therapy compared to root planing and scaling. Our aims is to review the literature on the capacity of erbium:Yttrium-aluminum-garnet and neodymium:Yttrium-aluminium-garnet laser to either replace or complete conventional mechanical/surgical periodontal treatments.     

Treatment of periodontal disease for glycaemic control in people with diabetes

Background: Glycaemic control is a key issue in the care of people with diabetes mellitus (DM). Some studies have suggested a bidirectional relationship between glycaemic control and periodontal disease. Objectives: To investigate the relationship between periodontal therapy and glycaemic control in people with diabetes and to identify the appropriate future strategy for this question. Search strategy: A comprehensive approach was adopted employing handsearching; searching of electronic databases including the Cochrane Oral Health Group’s Trials Register, CENTRAL, MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, ZETOC, ISI Web of Knowledge and LILACS; contact with appropriate non‐English language healthcare professionals; authors and organizations. The final date for searching for studies was 24 March 2010. Selection criteria: This review studied randomized controlled trials of people with Type 1 or 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) with a diagnosis of periodontitis. Suitable interventions included mechanical periodontal therapy with or without adjunctives and oral hygiene education. Data collection and analysis: The titles and abstracts of 690 papers were examined by two review authors independently. Ultimately, seven studies were included and 19 excluded after full text scrutiny. All trials were assessed for risk of bias. Main results: Three studies had results pooled into a meta‐analysis. The effect for the mean percentage difference in HbA1c for scaling/root planing and oral hygiene (+/? antibiotic therapy) versus no treatment/usual treatment after 3–4 months was ?0.40% (95% confidence interval (CI) fixed effect ?0.78% to ?0.01%), representing a statistically significant reduction in HbA1c (P = 0.04) for scaling/root planing. One study was assessed as being at low risk of bias with the other two at moderate to high risk of bias. A subgroup analysis examined studies without adjunctive antibiotics ?0.80% (one study: 95% CI ?1.73% to 0.13%; P = 0.09), with adjunctive antibiotics in the test group ?0.36% (one study: 95% CI ?0.83% to 0.11%; P = 0.14), and with antibiotics in both test and control groups after 3/4 months ?0.15% (one study: 95% CI ?1.04% to 0.74%; P = 0.74). Authors’ conclusions: There is some evidence of improvement in metabolic control in people with diabetes, after treating periodontal disease. There are few studies available and individually these lacked the power to detect a significant effect. Most of the participants in the study had poorly controlled Type 2 DM with little data from randomized trials on the effects on people with Type 1 DM.     

Locally Delivered 0.5% Azithromycin as an Adjunct to Non‐Surgical Treatment in Patients With Chronic Periodontitis With Type 2 Diabetes: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial

Background: Several epidemiologic studies have identified a greater incidence of periodontitis in patients with type 2 diabetes. Recent developments suggest that local delivery of antimicrobials into periodontal pockets improve periodontal health. The present study is designed to investigate the adjunctive effects of subgingivally delivered azithromycin (AZM; 0.5% concentration) as an adjunct to scaling and root planing (SRP) for treating chronic periodontitis in patients with type 2 diabetes. Methods: A total of 63 patients were categorized into two treatment groups: 1) group 1: SRP + placebo gel and 2) group 2: SRP + 0.5% AZM. Clinical parameters were recorded at baseline and 3, 6, and 9 months; they included modified sulcus bleeding index (mSBI), plaque index (PI), probing depth (PD), and clinical attachment level (CAL). Results: Both therapies resulted in significant improvements. Using a patient‐based analysis, patients in group 2 treated with SRP + 0.5% AZM showed enhanced reductions in PI, GI, mSBI, and PD and gains in CAL (P <0.05) over 9 months compared with group 1. Conclusion: Although both treatment strategies seem to benefit the patients, the adjunctive use of 0.5% AZM as a controlled drug delivery system enhances the clinical outcome.