Effect of subgingival irrigation in the treatment of deep periodontal pockets

ABSTRACT

The present study was conducted to test the use of irrigation with antiseptics in deep periodontal pockets and to compare between their efficacy. Irrigation with chlorhexidine, betadin, stannous fluoride and saline was done weekly for eight weeks. The effect of these irrigants on deep periodontal pockets was evaluated using plaque index, suppurative index, bleeding index and probing depth. These clinical parameters were measured for irrigation groups and the control before the study and at 4, 8, 12 and 16 weeks. All subjects were subjected to thorough preliminary subgingival curettage only once before the initial irrigation as well as the controls. The results obtained demonstrated that the use of irrigating antiseptics could inhibit or reduce the inflammatory process in the periodontal pocket when used in adjunction to mechanical debridement. Also, no difference could be detected between the irrigation materials used as regard their clinical effect