Aim: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy of the controlled release biodegradable chlorhexidine chip (Periocol CG) when used as an adjunct to scaling and root planing in the treatment of periodontitis
Materials and Methods: A total of 20 patients and 20 bilateral sites i.e. 40 sites with pocket depth ≥ 5 mm were selected for the study. Patients were given the meticulous oral hygiene instructions and recalled after 21 days. The following clinical parameters were assessed: Plaque index (Sillness & Loe 1964), Sulcus bleeding index (Muhleman.H.R, and Son. 1971), Probing pocket depth ( Williams Graduated Probe),Relative attachment level ( Acrylic occlusal stent). 20 patients were treated in a split-mouth design and were followed up for a period of 3 months. Bilateral periodontal pockets were randomly assigned by a flip of coin to receive either placement of chip along with scaling and root planing (test site ) or scaling and root planing alone (control site). Subjects were recalled on 15th, 30th, 60th day for the measurement of plaque and sulcus bleeding index and on 90th day for the measurement of plaque index, sulcus bleeding index, probing pocket depth and relative attachment level.
Statistical Analysis: Mean, Standard deviation, t-test, p value
Results: All the clinical parameters i.e plaque index, sulcus bleeding index, probing pocket depth showed statistically significant reduction while as there was statistically significant improvement in relative attachment level in both groups but the test group showed better results and these results were statistically significant.
Conclusion: The results of the present study suggest that local controlled delivery of chlorhexidine chip along with scaling and root planing is capable of reducing scores of plaque index, bleeding on probing, probing pocket depth and gain in attachment level compared to scaling and root planing alone and this made local drug delivery an important treatment alternative to surgical periodontal therapy in the treatment of chronic periodontitis.
