3 regimens of topical metronidazole compared with subgingival scaling on periodontal pathology in adults.
This report presents the findings from an open randomized multicentre clinical trial designed to compare the clinical efficacy of scaling with application of 3 different preparations/dose frequencies of topical metronidazole in the treatment of adult periodontitis. The 4 treatments were: (A) metronidazole 25% dental gel administered 1 x a week for 2 weeks; (B) metronidazole 15% dental gel applied 1 x a week for 2 weeks; (C) metronidazole 15% dental gel applied 2 x a week for 2 weeks; (D) subgingival scaling, performed 1 x only. A split mouth design was used. Patients were included in the study if they had at least 1 tooth in each quadrant with a pocket depth > or = 5 mm in at least 1 of 4 sites. A total of 61 patients from 4 centres were entered into the study. The efficacy parameters were probing pocket depth and bleeding on probing. Follow-up visits for recording of clinical efficacy were made at 2, 4, 6 and 12 weeks after the end of metronidazole treatment. All 3 antibiotic treatments (A, B, C) reduced the symptoms of periodontal pathology and yielded results comparable to those seen after subgingival scaling (D). When using a topical drug therapy, it seems important to use a preparation that requires as few applications as possible. The best candidate for drug therapy would therefore be treatment (A) metronidazole 25% applied 1 x a week for 2 weeks.
Klinge
B
B
Lund University, Centre for Oral Health Sciences, Malmö, Sweden.
Attström
R
R
Karring
T
T
Kisch
J
J
Lewin
B
B
Stoltze
K
K
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D012534:Dental Scaling / Q000009:adverse effects; D004343:Drug Implants; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005782:Gels; D005884:Gingival Hemorrhage / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008795:Metronidazole / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010514:Periodontal Pocket / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D010518:Periodontitis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D013997:Time Factors
D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D004343:Drug Implants; D005782:Gels; D008795:Metronidazole