A double-blind trial of tetracycline in the management of early-onset periodontitis
The purpose of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of adjunctive systemic tetracycline in the nonsurgical and surgical management of EOP. Patients (under 28 years old) with localized or generalized early-onset periodontitis underwent scaling and root planing. Half of them received tetracycline (250 mg qds for 14 days), while the other half received placebo. After three months, the reduction in mean probing depth and breeding were greater in the test group compared to the control group. Twenty-six patients completed the surgical phase of the study (13 test and 13 control) and were evaluated after three months and again after 12 months. In the control group, 75% were required to have surgery compared with 58% in the test group. In conclusion, for treatment of early- onset periodontitis, use of tetracycline is recommended, especially in nonsurgical treatment. [F.M.]
Palmer, R.M., T.L.P. Watts, and R.F. Wilson, J Clin Periodont, 23:670, 1996