Dept of Periodontics, School of Dental Sciences, Sharda University, Greater Noida.
Background: Periodontitis, a disease involving supportive structures of the teeth prevails in all groups, ethnicities, races and both genders. The relationship between bacterial plaque and the development of periodontal disease is well established. Antibacterial agents have been used effectively in the management of periodontal infection. The effectiveness of mechanical debridement of plaque and repeated topical and systemic administration of antibacterial agents are limited due to the lack of accessibility to periodontopathic organisms in the periodontal pocket. Systemic administration of drugs leads to therapeutic concentrations at the site of infection, but for short periods of time, forcing repeated dosing for longer periods. Local delivery of antimicrobials has been investigated for the possibility of overcoming the limitations of conventional therapy. The use of sustained release formulations to deliver antibacterials to the site of infection (periodontal pocket) has recently gained interest. These products provide a long term, effective treatment at the site of infection at much smaller doses.
Methods: A case-control study was carried out on 60 patients suffering from chronic periodontitis. In Group A only scaling and root planing was carried out whereas in Group B tetracycline fibers were used along with scaling and root planning and Group C Doxcycycline gel was used with scaling and root planning.
Result: Tetracycline fibers & Doxycycline gel as an adjunct to scaling and root planing was found to be more effective in reducing inflammation than scaling & root planing alone. The number of sites with bleeding on probing were 4 in Group C as compared to 7 in Group B after 30 days. The mean decrease in probing depth was more in Group C than Group B & A after 30 days. General linear model showed that decrease in probing depth was only slightly statistically significant with both mechanical therapy as well as adjunctive use of tetracycline fibers.
Conclusion: Local drug delivery with doxycycline gel & tetracycline fibres is an effective and simple non surgical method to improve periodontal health which can be practiced even by a general dental practitioner.
