Clinical effects of a 0.12% chlorhexidine rinse as an adjunct to scaling and root planing.

This trial tested the adjunctive effects of a 0.12% chlorhexidine rinse (Peridex) upon gingival healing following scaling and root planing. Assessments were made on reduction in plaque (Pl), gingivitis (GI), pocket depth and gingival bleeding as measures of treatment benefit. All subjects had Class II, III or IV periodontal conditions. Following baseline examinations, subjects received a gross supragingival scaling and polishing. Subjects were separated by sex and periodontal classification, arrayed by GI scores, and randomly assigned to either the chlorhexidine rinse or a placebo rinse. Subjects were instructed to rinse with 1/2 ounce of their assigned products for 30 seconds twice daily. Following two weeks of product use, the clinical examinations were repeated and two randomly selected, opposing contralateral quadrants were scaled and root planed. After two more weeks of product use (week 4), clinical examinations were repeated and the remaining quadrants were scaled and root planed. At week 6, final clinical examinations were conducted. Since half-mouths were treated at different times and exposed to the treatment rinses for different periods, the data were analyzed for the half-mouths independently 2 and 4 weeks after gross scaling, and 2 and 4 weeks after root planing. A total of 94 subjects (47 in each treatment group) completed all phases of the trial. Gingival healing following scaling and root planing in subjects using a chlorhexidine rinse (0.12%) was significantly better than subjects using the placebo rinse as evidenced by less gingivitis (29%), fewer GI bleeding sites (48%) and less plaque (54%).

Doxycycline-tricalcium phosphate composite graft facilitates osseous healing in advanced periodontal furcation defects.

The purpose of this study was to compare the effectiveness of a tricalcium phosphate, plaster of paris, and doxycycline composite graft to surgical debridement alone in the treatment of Class II and Class III furcation defects. Fifteen patients with adult periodontitis and at least two mandibular molars with Class II or III furcation defects were selected. A total of 40 sites were treated: 26 were Class II defects and 14 were Class III. Following initial therapy one site was randomly selected to receive the composite graft while the remaining site served as the surgically debrided control. Osseous healing was evaluated by direct measurements from an acrylic stent at the time of graft surgery and at the 6-month reentry. Following surgery each patient was placed on doxycycline 100mg/day for 10 days. The absence of clinical inflammation and infection during the healing process provided additional substantiation of the biocompatibility of the grafting materials. Results after 6 months indicated that sites treated with the composite graft had improved defect fill, defect resolution, probing depths, and clinical attachment levels when compared to the surgically debrided controls. Defect fill was 3.7 times greater in grafted sites and these sites were 4.0 times more likely to have 50% or greater defect fill. The effect of grafting was more pronounced in Class III defects where horizontal defect fill and gain of clinical attachment was achieved only in grafted sites. The plaster of paris functioned well as a binder, preventing particle scatter and facilitating graft retention. Additionally the plaster served as a vehicle to carry and retain the doxycycline at the treated site. These short-term results point to the potential of a composite graft containing tricalcium phosphate, plaster of paris, and doxycycline in promoting healing of furcation lesions.