title: Root surface characteristics associated with subgingival placement of monolithic tetracycline-impregnated fibers.
abstract: The purpose of this investigation was to inspect and characterize the subgingival root surface after a 10-day exposure in vivo to 25% tetracycline hydrochloride by weight in an ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer fiber matrix with and without root planing therapy. The root surfaces were examined by fluorescent-light microscopy (FLM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). Thirty-two teeth were selected for study, 4 from each of 8 patients. The teeth of each patient were randomly assigned to one of four treatment groups: non-treated control (C), scaling and root planing only (RP), tetracycline-impregnated fiber only (F), and scaling and root planing with tetracycline-impregnated fiber application (RP/F). SEM revealed a visible reduction in the subgingival microbial flora in both the F and RP/F treatment groups in comparison with the C group specimens. Many of the residual bacteria observed in F and RP/F specimens appeared non-viable, exhibiting obvious loss of membrane integrity. In contrast, the RP specimens exhibited randomly distributed areas of residual subgingival plaque and calculus with newly developing plaque fronts; the plaque fronts undoubtedly having formed during the 10 days post-therapy. All RP/F specimens exhibited an incomplete removal of adsorbed root surface pellicle and demineralization of the subsequently exposed root surface. EDS analysis of large crystals adhering to root surfaces of F and RP/F specimens revealed high chloride peaks, suggesting the presence of residual tetracycline. FLM examination of F and RP/F treated specimens showed a superficial penetration of tetracycline into the root surface of about 10 microns. Areas of demineralized root showed slight tetracycline penetration into exposed dentinal tubules.
authors.affiliation: Department of Periodontics, School of Dentistry, University of Missouri-Kansas City.
authors.forename: S L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Morrison
authors.forename: C M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Cobb
authors.forename: G M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Kazakos
authors.forename: W J
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Killoy
mesh_terms: D000327:Adsorption; D000328:Adult; D001419:Bacteria / Q000648:ultrastructure; D003728:Dental Calculus / Q000648:ultrastructure; D044622:Dental Pellicle; D003773:Dental Plaque / Q000382:microbiology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D012534:Dental Scaling; D004343:Drug Implants; D004577:Electron Probe Microanalysis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence; D010518:Periodontitis / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D011145:Polyvinyls; D016745:Root Planing; D013752:Tetracycline / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014092:Tooth Root / Q000737:chemistry / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000648:ultrastructure
chemical_list: D004343:Drug Implants; D011145:Polyvinyls; C016438:ethylenevinylacetate copolymer; D013752:Tetracycline