Efficacy of ultrasonic mechanical instrumentation with and without chlorhexidine in treatment of chronic periodontitis

Abstract

Aim: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of ultrasonic mechanical instrumentation (UMI) along with the professional use of chlorhexidine (CHX) compared with UMI alone during periodontal supportive therapy in patients with chronic periodontitis. Material and Methods: A total of twenty patients were included in the study and were divided into test and control group. The test group (ten patients) was treated with a single session of UMI along with subgingival irrigation under cavitation with CHX 0.02%. A 0.2% CHX solution was used for professional tongue brushing and mouth rinsing. The control group (ten patients) received a similar single session of UMI along with subgingival irrigation and professional tongue brushing and mouth rinsing with a control formulation. Clinical and microbiological parameters were assessed pre-treatment at 3 and 6 weeks post­treatment. Results: Results showed that there was a significant reduction of supragingival plaque and gingival inflammation as well as a significant reduction of subgingival bacterial pathogens in both test and control groups. The additional use of CHX did not result in any additional clinical and microbiological benefit with respect to UMI alone. Conclusion: CHX formulations in conjunction with UMI seems to produce no additional benefits over UMI alone during supportive therapy in chronic periodontitis patients. Keywords: Chlorhexidine, Chronic Periodontitis, Piezoelectric Ultrasonic, Subgingival Microbiota.