Western Society of Periodontics

Clinical Studies

Volume Number 3, 1995

The effect of a single application of subgingival antimicrobial or mechanical therapy on the clinical parameters of juvenile periodontitis

The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical effects of a single application of tetracycline or chlorhexidine gel on diseased sites in localized periodontitis patients. The researchers took 26 patients who were previously diagnosed with LJP, 16-25 years old, and divided them into three groups. Nine patients served as controls, eight patients received the subgingival chlorhexidine gel, and nine had the subgingival tetracycline paste. Clinical parameters measured were plaque index, gingival index, and bleeding index. Probing attachment level, pocket depths, and position of the gingival margin were monitored at 0 and 12 weeKs. The patients underwent oral hygiene instructions and were scaled and root planed. Then the gel or paste, for the treatment groups, was applied to the sites until filled, and a dressing was placed to ensure that the antimicrobial would stay there long enough. The results showed a marked reduction of bleeding on probing at the end of 12 weeks. Pockets decreased but were not statistically different for the three groups. There was no difference in buccal and lingual sites for the three groups. But interproximally, the control group showed greater reduction at 2.58 mm, and the chlorhexidine group had the least reduction at 1.37 mm. The authors conclude that topical administration of tetracycline or chlorhexidine did not result in any short-term improvements in clinical parameters in LJP patients over that achieved by conventional nonsurgical therapy. [M.C.R.]