Design of Chlorhexidine Loaded Periochip

Periodontitis is a dental disease, resulting from bacteriological infections which destroys the attachment apparatus of teeth leading to formation of the periodontal pocket. The periodontal chip is a pharmaceutical composition which is applied to a periodontal pocket for the purpose of treating periodontal diseases. This study was performed to develop a biodegradable periodontal chip containing chlorhexidine and to evaluate its effectiveness for managing chronic periodontitis. Chlorhexidine is a broad-spectrum biocide effective against Gram-positive bacteria, Gram-negative bacteria and fungi. Chitosan, a partially deacetylated chitin, which is a biologically safe biopolymer, prolongs the adhesion time and drug release from periochips. Chitosan also has a broad antimicrobial spectrum. The main objective of this study was to design a formulation containing chitosan for local delivery of Chlorhexidine to the oral cavity for managing chronic periodontitis. Various formulations were prepared at various concentrations of chitosan 1%, 2%, 3% and 4% and evaluation studies were performed. Periochip properties like thickness, weight uniformity, folding endurance, tensile strength of all the formulations are within the acceptable range. All the prepared formulations provide an acceptable pH range that is compatible with normal buccal mucosa. The drug content of each formulation was evaluated and was found to be uniform ranging from 94.5% to 99%. The in-vitro dissolution comparison was made. The formulations with higher percentage of chitosan (CPC 4) shows slower drug release than other formulations. On the basis of in vitro characterization it was concluded that chlorhexidine could be incorporated in a slow release chitosan chip for the treatment of periodontitis. Further, detailed investigation is required to establish in-vivo efficiency of these periochip.