The effect of supragingival plaque control on the composition of the subgingival microflora in human periodontitis

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of supragingival plaque control on the composition of the subgingival microflora. 8 subjects with moderate to severe periodontitis were chosen for the study. Sites with periodontal destruction (GI greater than 2; probing depth greater than 6.5 mm; vertical alveolar bone loss on radiographs) were submitted to professional plaque control 3 X a week for 3 weeks. Contralateral sites received no prophylaxis and served as controls. Patients maintained usual oral hygiene during the observation period: it consisted exclusively of tooth brushing once or twice a day with no use of interdental cleaning aids. Clinical examination and bacterial sampling were performed every week. At the end of the study, PlI scores for the experimental sites showed a marked diminution compared with the control sites. No variations were observed in GI or probing depth in test or control sites during the study. The composition of subgingival plaque in both groups showed no significant variations during that period.     

Clinical effects of simultaneous ultrasonic scaling and subgingival irrigation with chlorhexidine

The clinical and microbial effects of a single episode of simultaneous ultrasonic scaling and subgingival irrigation with chlorhexidine (CHX) were studied as a function of clinical probing depth in patients with adult periodontitis. 60 patients were randomly assigned to receive subgingival irrigation under cavitation with either sterile water or 0.12% CHX delivered through the tip of an ultrasonically activated scaler as part of initial periodontal therapy in a double-blind study design. 3 periodontal sites were randomly selected for examination from each patient on the basis of clinical probing depth, with 1 site being selected within each of the following ranges: 1-3 mm, 4-6 mm, and 7-9 mm. Pretreatment and post-treatment (days 14 and 28) clinical assessments included a plaque index (PI), gingival index (GI), and clinical probing depth (CPD). Subgingival specimens also were collected from 1-3 mm and 4-6 mm sites on a random subset of patients (15 per group). Plaque counts of spirochetes and motile organisms were made by darkfield microscopy. Significant reductions in PI, GI, and CPD were observed among all sites within both treatment groups at 14 and 28 days post-treatment. CHX irrigation resulted in a significantly greater reduction in CPD than did water among sites initially probing 4-6 mm at both 14 and 28 days post-treatment (25% versus 13% and 31% versus 18%, respectively). Spirochete counts were modestly but nonsignificantly reduced at 14 days post-treatment among sites 4-6 mm within both treatment groups. These results suggest that subgingival irrigation with CHX during ultrasonic scaling provides differential clinical benefits that are site-dependent.     

Effect of subgingival irrigation with tetrapotassium peroxydiphosphate on scaled and untreated periodontal pockets

A total of 20 test and 20 control subjects completed an 8-week double blind clinical trial aimed at testing the therapeutic efficacy of a 7% tetrapotassium peroxydiphosphate (PDP) solution administered as a subgingival irrigant to scaled and untreated periodontal pockets. Each patient provided similar contralateral pockets with probing depths at base line of 5 mm or more (mean 6.25 mm). One pocket was selected at random for a thorough scaling, immediately following the base line examination (examination 1). The examination of each experimental site consisted of Plaque Index (P1I) and Gingival Index (GI) scores, probing depth (PD) and attachment level (AL) measurements (in mm), and a differential microscopic proportional count of certain subgingival bacterial morphotypes, namely coccoid cells, motile bacteria (not including spirochetes), spirochetes and all residual bacterial morphotypes. Test patients received coded irrigators containing the active ingredient PDP, while control patients received irrigators containing a placebo rinse similar to the test solution, but without PDP. The participants were instructed to irrigate the test sites twice a day. They were re-examined after four weeks (examination 2) and eight weeks (examination 3) from the base line examination. The results indicated that scaling and irrigation produced a significant decrease from the initial P1I and GI scores, and the PD and AL measurements. The proportions of coccoid cells were significantly increased, while the proportions of motile bacteria and spirochetes were significantly decreased. Irrigation of unscaled pockets resulted in a modest, but significant decrease in the P1I and GI scores.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Periodic subgingival antimicrobial irrigation of periodontal pockets

The present investigation was undertaken to study the clinical effect of professionally performed periodic subgingival irrigation per se and as an adjunct to scaling and root planing. 10 patients suffering from moderate-severe periodontal disease participated in the study. Following an initial 3-month period of supervised supragingival plaque control, a total of 102 periodontal sites with probing pocket depth greater than or equal to 6 mm and "bleeding on probing" were selected and subjected to a Baseline examination comprising assessments of oral hygiene and gingival conditions, probing depths and probing attachment levels. The pockets in the various jaw quadrants were randomly assigned to one of the following treatment groups: (1) periodic subgingival irrigation with hydrogen peroxide, (2) periodic subgingival irrigation with chlorhexidine, (3) periodic subgingival irrigation with saline and (4) no subgingival treatment. During the first part of the study (baseline-32 weeks), no mechanical debridement of the subgingival area was performed. The irrigation treatment was carried out by the operator 3 times per week during weeks 1 + 2 and 5 + 6 of the trial. In the 2nd part of the trial (32-52 weeks), the sites were subjected to scaling and root planing combined with professional irrigation during weeks 32-38. The previously non-irrigated control sites were not subjected to adjunctive irrigation when mechanically debrided. During the entire study, the patients were recalled for professional tooth cleaning once every 4 weeks. Re-examinations were carried out at 4, 6, 32, 40 and 52 weeks. The results revealed that repeated professional irrigation of unscaled periodontal pockets with chlorhexidine or hydrogen peroxide resulted in a temporarily reduced frequency of bleeding sites, but not in any clinically significant changes in probing assessments. A similar improvement of bleeding scores was observed in the saline-irrigated control group. Scaling and root planing, in combination with an optimal supragingival plaque control, resulted in a marked resolution of the clinical symptoms of periodontal disease. Adjunctive irrigation with chlorhexidine or hydrogen peroxide did not improve the healing result above and beyond that obtained after mechanical debridement alone or in combination with saline irrigation. Hence, the study failed to demonstrate that professionally performed periodic subgingival irrigation with chlorhexidine or hydrogen peroxide, used alone or in combination with thorough mechanical debridement, has a significant therapeutic effect.     

Clinical and microbiological effects of subgingival and gingival marginal irrigation with chlorhexidine gluconate

Recent interest in the local delivery of antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory agents has stimulated interest in the efficacy of various treatment regimens. Chlorhexidine gluconate (CHX) delivered daily by home-applied marginal irrigation as a 0.04% solution in combination with a single professional irrigation of 0.12% CHX was tested over a 3-month period. Sixty periodontal maintenance patients each having at least 2 pockets greater than or equal to 4 mm probing depth, and bleeding on probing were assigned to either Group 1: one professional subgingival 0.12% CHX (Peridex) irrigation (Perio Pik) followed by adjunctive daily home marginal 0.04% CHX irrigation (Pik Pocket); Group 2: one professional subgingival 0.12% CHX irrigation followed by adjunctive daily home marginal water irrigation; Group 3: one professional subgingival water irrigation followed by adjunctive daily home marginal water irrigation; or Group 4: control. At baseline and 3 month visits, subgingival plaque samples were taken from 2 sites per patient. Cultural microbiological analysis was performed using non-selective and selective media. Plaque Index, Gingival Index, pocket probing depths, and gingival recession were assessed. Scaling and root planing (supportive periodontal treatment) was provided for each patient followed by subgingival irrigation as outlined above. At 3 months the Gingival Index and pocket probing depths were both significantly reduced (P less than .05) in all irrigation groups compared to baseline. There were no significant changes in clinical parameters in the control group from baseline to 3 months. In Group 1 the GI was significantly reduced (P less than .05) compared to Group 4 at 3 months.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Some effects of enamel matrix proteins on wound healing in the dento-gingival region

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to evaluate by clinical means the effect of enamel matrix proteins on the healing of a soft tissue wound produced by periodontal pocket instrumentation. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study was performed as an intra-individual, longitudinal trial of 3 weeks duration with a double-masked, split-mouth, placebo-controlled and randomized design. The patient material was comprised of 28 subjects with moderately advanced, chronic periodontitis. Each patient presented with 3 sites in each of 2 jaw quadrants with a probing pocket depth (PPD) of >or=5 mm and bleeding following pocket probing (BoP). Baseline examination, including assessments of plaque, gingival inflammation, PPD, BoP and root dentin sensitivity, was carried out one week after oral hygiene instruction and careful self-performed plaque control. All experimental sites were scaled and root planed, and the soft tissue wall of the pocket was curetted to remove the pocket epithelium and adjacent granulation tissue. The site was carefully irrigated with saline. When the bleeding from the pocket had ceased, a 24% EDTA gel was applied in the site and retained for 2 min. This was followed by careful irrigation with saline. Left and right jaw quadrants were then randomized to subgingival application of enamel matrix derivative (Emdogain) or vehicle-control. All sites were re-examined after 1, 2 and 3 weeks. In addition, a visual analogue scale (VAS) was used to score the degree of post-treatment discomfort. The primary endpoints of treatment success were defined as (i) pocket closure (PPD 相似文献   

The effect of supragingival plaque control on the progression of advanced periodontal disease

Abstract. The aim of the present trial was to study the effect of meticulous supragingival plaque control on (i) the subgingival microbiota, and (ii) the rate of progression of attachment loss in subjects with advanced periodontal disease. An intra-individual group of sites exposed to non-surgical periodontal therapy served as controls. 12 patients with advanced periodontal disease were subjected to a baseline examination (BL) including assessments of oral hygiene status, gingival condition (BoP), probing depth, clinical attachment level and subgingival microbiota from pooled samples from each quadrant. The assessments were repeated after 12, 24 and 36 months. Following BL, a split mouth study was initiated. The patients received oral hygiene instruction, supragingival scaling and case presentation. 2 quadrants in each patient were identified as “test” and the remaining 2 as “control” quadrants. Subgingival therapy was performed in all bleeding sites in the control quadrants. Oral hygiene instructions and plaque control exercises were repeated once every 2 weeks during the initial 3 months of the study. Thereafter the plaque control program was repeated once every 3 months for the duration of the 3 years. Sites demonstrating loss of clinical attachment ≥2 mm in the test quadrants were treated subgingivally. The results showed that in both test and control quadrants repeated oral hygiene instructions and supragingival plaque removal procedures resulted in low plaque scores throughout the study. The gingival bleeding scores and the frequency of periodontal pockets ≥4 mm was, however, significantly higher in the test quadrants than in the control quadrants. At the end of the 3 year study, the control quadrants showed significantly more reduced (≥2 mm) pockets than the test quadrants, 265 versus 96. The number of sites in the test quadrants showing probing attachment loss ≥2 mm was more than 4× greater than in the control quadrants (59 versus 13). The microbiological findings indicate a more pronounced reduction only for P. gingivalis in the control quadrants. None of the other 4 marker bacteria consistently reflected or predicted the clinical parameters. The present study shows that only supragingival plaque control fails to prevent further periodontal tissue destruction in subjects with advanced periodontal disease.     

The effect of subgingival debridement with hand and ultrasonic instruments on the subgingival microflora

The effect of hand or ultrasonic instrumentation on the subgingival microflora of periodontal pockets was investigated. Pockets with probing depths of 6-9 mm were selected in 12 patients and were randomly assigned per patient to the experimental and control groups. After oral hygiene instruction, instrumentation of the experimental pockets was carried out either by ultrasonic or by hand instruments in a split-mouth design. The treatment effect on the subgingival microbiota was evaluated by microscopic and culture studies of subgingival plaque samples, while in addition, supragingival plaque, bleeding after probing and probing pocket depth were scored. Examinations were carried out before and 7, 21 and 49 days after treatment. The hand and ultrasonic treatments were equally effective in reducing probing pocket depths and bleeding scores. At the end of the experimental period, the probing depths of 54% of the hand-treated pockets and 43% of the ultrasonic-treated pockets were reduced to 4 mm or less while the bleeding scores were reduced to 29% and 22%, respectively. The analysis of microscopical and cultural data did not show any differences between hand and ultrasonic debridement. Both treatments reduced the microscopical counts of rods, spirochetes and motiles and reduced the total colony-forming units and number of black-pigmented Bacteroides and Capnocytophaga, resulting in a subgingival microbiota consistent with periodontal health.     

The effect of supragingival plaque control on the composition of the subgingival flora in periodontal pockets

The effect of mechanical supragingival plaque control on the composition of the subgingival microflora in untreated 4-6 mm deep periodontal pockets was investigated. 13 subjects with chronic periodontitis were recruited for the study. Periodontally-diseased sites were subjected to professional plaque control 3 x weekly for a period of 3 weeks. Contralateral sites received no prophylaxis and served as controls. No instructions in oral hygiene procedures were given to the patients who maintained their habitual oral hygiene regime during the observation period. Clinical examination and darkfield microscopic analysis of bacterial samples were performed every week. The PlI scores for the experimental sites were reduced markedly, while those for the control sites remained stable throughout the observation period. No changes in the other clinical parameters were detected during the study. The composition of the subgingival microflora at the control sites did not change during the experimental period. In contrast, at the test sites, the proportion of spirochetes+motile rods decreased continuously. This decrease reached statistical significance at the end of the experiment. The results indicate that at periodontally diseased sites with an established subgingival ecosystem, supragingival plaque removal may influence the composition of the subgingival microflora.     

Intracrevicular application of tetracycline in white petrolatum for the treatment of periodontal disease

Abstract. In vitro tests in our laboratory have shown that 40% tetracycline HC1 in a white petrolatum carrier (TTC-WP) has potential as a sustained release, auto-dissipating system. The present study tested subgingival placement of TTC-WP via syringe in vivo. Quadrants (2 diseased sites in each) in 9 patients with moderate/severe periodontitis were randomly assigned to receive the following treatments: (1) TTC-WP; (2) WP only; (3) scaling and root planing; (4) untreated control. TTC release into gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) over time (baseline, 1, 8, 24, 72 and 168 h) was measured using an agar diffusion bioassay. Clinical parameters and subgingival bacterial morphotypes (darkfield analysis) were also evaluated over time (baseline, 2, 4, 8, 12 weeks). Results indicated that TTC-WP was easily placed into periodontal pockets and biologically effective TTC was released into GCF for at least 3 days (mean concentration = 115.8 ± 43.1 μg/ml at 3 days). TTC-WP reduced probing pocket depths and bleeding on probing relative to baseline measurements for 8–12 weeks post-treatment, and reduced %s of motile rods and spirochetes, with an accompanying increase in cocci, for 2–8 weeks. Similar effects were noted in the scaled and root-planed sites, but for a longer duration. TTC-WP and WP were clinically dissipated after 2 weeks and no adverse tissue reactions were observed. From these findings, subgingival TTC-WP cannot replace scaling and root planing therapy, but has characteristics useful in subgingival plaque control.     

Periodontal status of teeth with crown–root fractures: results two years after adhesive fragment reattachment

Aim: This series of case reports evaluated the impact of adhesive crown–root fragment reattachment in periodontally healthy teeth suffering from crown–root fractures on various parameters of periodontal health over a time course of 2 years.
Material and Methods: A total of 20 teeth with crown–root fractures in 18 periodontally healthy subjects were evaluated. After open-flap access, crown–root fragments were adhesively reattached to the root stub. In all cases, the vertical difference between the alveolar bone crest and the fracture line was 1 mm, i.e. violating the biological width. Subsequently, clinical attachment level (CAL), probing pocket depth (PPD), bleeding on probing (BoP) and gingival index (GI) scores were recorded at 6, 12 and 24 months postoperatively for the restored teeth as well as plaque index (PlI) and periodontal screening index (PSI) values for the whole dentition.
Results: Two years after therapy, recorded CAL, PPD, BoP, GI, PlI and PSI scores revealed healthy periodontal conditions in 18 out of 20 treated teeth. Two teeth had suffered again from fragment fracture due to new traumata.
Conclusions: Adhesive fragment reattachment in periodontally healthy teeth affected by crown–root fractures had no detrimental impact on periodontal health over a time course of 2 years.     

Serum IgA and IgG antibodies to Treponema vincentii and Treponema denticola in adult periodontitis, juvenile periodontitis and periodontally healthy subjects

13 patients with untreated adult periodontitis (AP) were compared to 8 subjects free of periodontal disease (H) with respect to plaque index (PlI), gingival index (GI), probing depth (PD) and differential counts of subgingival bacterial morphotypes from a pooled sample of 6 surfaces with the greatest probing depth. Serum antibody levels to T. vincentii and T. denticola strains were also determined in these subjects as well as in the sera from 5 subjects with localized juvenile periodontitis (LJP). Subjects with AP had significantly elevated proportions of spirochetes and motile rods and lower proportions of coccoid cells than H subjects. They also exhibited significantly higher PlI and GI scores and greater probing depths. Antibody levels were normalized against a standard serum and expressed as ELISA units (EU). IgA and IgG antibody levels to all tested spirochete strains were significantly elevated in AP subjects as compared to subjects in group H or subjects with LJP. No significant differences in antibody titers were detectable between the H and LJP groups with respect to any of the tested strains. No significant correlation could be demonstrated between serum antibody titers to any of the oral spirochete strains tested and the proportions of oral spirochetes determined microscopically.     

Short-term effects of triclosan on healing following subgingival scaling

Abstract The present clinical trial was performed to evaluate short-term effects of a triclosan-containing dentifrice/gel combination on soft tissue healing, when applied supra-/sub-gingivally at periodontal sites treated with scaling and root planing. 16 subjects with moderate penodontitis participated in a 2×2-week, split-mouth designed clinical trial. 2 combinations of gel/dentifrice (the test combination containing triclosan) were used. 2 pairs of contralateral sites with probing pocket depth (PPD) ≥ 5 mm, and which bled on probing (BoP +) were selected in each patient as experimental units. A baseline examination included assessments of PPD, BoP, gingival index scores, plaque index scores, and the composition of the subgingival microbiota (dark-field microscopy). The assigned quadrant was anaesthetized and the teeth exposed to meticulous scaling and root planing. Immediately after the completion of mechanical therapy, either the test or control gel was applied sub-gingivally at the experimental sites. The volunteer was instructed to brush his/her teeth with an assigned dentifrice and to apply the gel (via a custom-made stent) supragingivally 2× daily for the following 2 weeks. He/she was recalled on day 7 for a second professional subgingival gel application. Re-examinations were carried out on days 2, 7 and 14 after treatment. 1-week wash-out periods separated the 2 experimental periods. The mean PPD reductions (between days 0 and 14) were 1.8 mm and 1.9 mm for the test and control gel/dentifrice sites. The reduction in BoP and gingival index scores was significantly greater during the test than during the control regimen. No significant differences were observed between the 2 regimens regarding plaque scores and composition of the subgingival microbiota. The findings from the present investigation demonstrated that triclosan, applied both sub- and supra-gingivally reduced soft tissue inflammation following scaling and root planing.     

Improved metabolic control, clinical periodontal status and subgingival microbiology in insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus

The effect of improved metabolic control on the clinical periodontal condition and the subgingival microflora of diseased and healthy periodontal pockets in 6 ambulatory insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) patients was prospectively studied. Duplicate measurements with a time-interval of 3 days were made every 4 moths for assessment of the metabolic status, the clinical periodontal condition and the subgingival microflora. During the study, patients maintained personal oral hygiene measures as they usually did before the study. Neither supplementary dental prophylaxis nor oral hygiene measures were applied during the investigation. Long-term metabolic control (HbAlc) improved significantly with intensive conventional insulin treatment. Gingival redness decreased significantly whereas gingival swelling showed a not significant trend to decrease. It is suggested that microvascular changes associated with improved metabolic control in diabetes mellitus may mediate the observed change in gingival redness. No effect could be demonstrated for probing pocket depth, probing attachment level, bleeding on probing and the plaque index. Statistical analysis of the effect of improved metabolic control on the subgingival microflora revealed that only the % of streptococci increased significantly in diseased periodontal pockets. In general, no significant changes were found in either healthy or diseased pockets with regard to the bacterial flora associated with periodontal disease. The results of the present study indicate that improved metabolic control in IDDM patients may have no potential impetus for an improved clinical periodontal condition nor on the subgingival bacterial flora. It is concluded that the periodontal condition in IDDM patients may only ameliorate when local oral hygiene measures are applied.     

Antimicrobial irrigation of periodontal furcation lesions to supplement oral hygiene instruction and root debridement

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effects of subgingival irrigations with tetracycline as a supplement to mechanical plaque control and root debridement on clinical conditions of periodontal furcation pockets. 20 subjects with molar teeth having furcation pockets of varying depths and different grades of furcation involvement served for the study. Following oral hygiene instruction and root debridement at baseline, test teeth were irrigated subgingivally by a professional with a solution of 50 mg/ml of tetracycline, and control teeth with saline every 2nd week for 3 months. Records of dental plaque, bleeding on probing, probing depth and probing attachment level were obtained at 0, 1, 2, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months. The results failed to demonstrate any significant differences between test and control teeth for any of the subgroups of furcation sites at any observation interval. It is suggested that future studies may need to be performed over longer periods of time, and that the antimicrobial agents may need to be administered in vehicles, which provide prolonged periods of active subgingival concentrations.     

Clinical alterations in relation to the morphological composition of the subgingival microflora following scaling and root planning

The aim of the present study was to relate shifts in the composition of subgingival plaque in periodontal pockets to alterations of the clinical periodontal conditions following a single course of subgingival scaling and root planing during a period of professional supragingival plaque control. For this purpose, 36 pairs of contralateral periodontal pockets in 10 subjects with moderately advanced periodontitis were assessed for the degree of gingival inflammation, probing pocket depths, bleeding on probing, attachment levels and the amount of supragingival plaque. In addition, samples of subgingival plaque were analyzed morphologically by dark-field microscopy. All patients received detailed information about proper oral hygiene and every 1-2 weeks, professional removal of supragingivally located deposits. When the oral hygiene standard had been sufficiently improved, 1 course of subgingival scaling on 1 side of each jaw only (test side) was carried out. Clinical and microbiological examinations were repeated after the scaling as well as after 2 and 6 months, while patients were recalled for supragingival prophylaxis every 2nd to 4th week. Our data showed that a single course of subgingival scaling and root planing resulted in reduced probing depths, a gain in clinical attachment and a shift in the composition of the subgingival microflora to a composition found in relatively healthy periodontal conditions. In relatively shallow pockets, however, a possible influence of repeated sampling on the subgingival microflora could not be ruled out. Bleeding on gentle probing was a reliable parameter for predicting a subgingival microflora where motile bacteria hold an increased portion.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Subgingival irrigation in the maintenance phase of periodontal therapy

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of subgingival scaling versus subgingival pocket irrigation with 0.1% chlorhexidine or saline controls on the repopulation of subgingival periodontal sites with disease-associated micro-organisms following a single procedure of scaling and root planing. Additionally, pertinent clinical parameters (attachment level, plaque index, bleeding on probing) were also recorded. 375 sites in 30 individuals with previously untreated periodontal disease were thoroughly scaled and subsequently either rescaled, irrigated, or not treated at all for the following 6 months at 1-month intervals. The results show that the initial scaling and root planing procedure led to significant clinical and microbiological improvements in all experimental groups. These improvements were maintained in all but the untreated sites. Based on the observed clinical and microbiological changes, subgingival irrigation of periodontal pockets at 1-month intervals was equally effective as scaling and root planing performed at the same pace. 0.1% chlorhexidine however, being used as test irrigant, was not more effective than saline controls.     

Effect of an oily calcium hydroxide suspension on early wound healing after nonsurgical periodontal therapy

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate clinically the effect of an oily calcium hydroxide suspension on early wound healing after nonsurgical periodontal therapy. A total of 19 patients with chronic periodontitis were enrolled in the study. Each subject had three sites in each of two contra-lateral jaw quadrants with a probing pocket depth (PPD) of ≥5 mm and bleeding on probing (BoP+). All teeth received scaling and root planing under local anesthesia followed by irrigation with sterile saline. An oily calcium hydroxide suspension (Osteoinductal) was applied subgingivally to the test sites at random. All sites were reexamined after 1, 2 [gingival index (GI) and BoP], and 3 weeks (GI, BoP, and PPD). Treatment success was defined as no signs of GI (GI=0), no BoP (BoP−), and pocket closure (PPD≤4 mm). At all three different points in time, there were improvements in both GI and BoP at the control and test sites, which were in favor of the test therapy (p<0.05). For PPD change, no differences were found between the test and the control sites. The results of the study suggest that the topical application of an oily calcium hydroxide suspension (Osteoinductal), after nonsurgical periodontal therapy, improves early periodontal wound healing.     

Effect of long-term tetracycline therapy on human periodontal disease

The present investigation was performed to study the effect of long-term, low dosage tetracycline therapy on advanced periodontal disease in humans. 14 volunteers participated in the trial. Each of the participants had at least 4 pairs of diseased sites around contralateral premolars and incisors with deep pockets and advanced bone loss. The trial extended over a 50-week period and was designed as a double-blind split-mouth study. A Baseline examination included assessments of oral hygiene, gingival conditions, probing depth, attachment level and analysis of the composition of the subgingival microbiota in samples obtained from 8 selected diseased sites. All participants received oral hygiene instruction. In each patient 2 quadrants of the mouth, chosen at random, were treated by scaling and root planing. The 2 remaining quadrants were left unscaled. Following the Baseline examination the patients were randomly distributed into 2 groups of 7 members each. In one of the groups the patients received tetracycline on a daily basis during a 50-week period. The participants of the control group received placebo. Reexaminations were performed 2, 10, 20, 30 and 50 weeks after the Baseline examination. The findings demonstrated that in patients with advanced periodontal disease long-term tetracycline therapy in the absence of scaling resulted in the establishment of a subgingival microbiota almost devoid of motile bacteria and in markedly reduced signs of gingivitis, probing depth and attachment loss. In fact, the alterations observed as a result of tetracycline administration to patients with excellent self-performed plaque control were similar to those obtained by conventional scaling and root planing in the control group.     

Subgingival spirochete and leukocyte counts as indicators of response to therapy

The aim of this study was to determine whether changes in probing attachment levels are related to subgingival spirochete or leukocyte counts in periodontal pockets. Following initial clinical recordings and therapy consisting of oral hygiene instruction and root debridement, the probing attachment levels of proximal sites of 120 single-rooted teeth in 7 patients were measured every 3 months for 12 months. The measurements of each site were subjected to regression analysis, which determined whether the site was deteriorating, improving, or non-changing. Subgingival washings were taken of 19 deteriorating, 22 improving, and 127 non-changing sites to determine the number and % of spirochetes and the number of leukocytes at each site. Improved probing attachment levels were associated with reduced numbers of spirochetes and leukocytes. However, the ranges of individual measurements of subgingival washing variables overlapped considerably between groups. Spirochete and leukocyte counts related better to the 12-month probing depths than to changes in probing attachment levels during the preceding 12 months. These findings suggest that none of the tested subgingival washing parameters are suitable indicators of changes in attachment levels on an individual site basis.