Use of a biodegradable chlorhexidine chip in the treatment of adult periodontitis: clinical and radiographic findings.
BACKGROUND
Previous multi-center trials demonstrated the efficacy of a biodegradable chlorhexidine-gelatin chip (CHX) in reducing probing depth in patients with periodontitis. The present study utilized a subset of subjects from the parent study to determine if the CHX chip was effective in maintaining alveolar bone over a 9-month period.


METHODS
Forty-five subjects with at least four 5 to 8 mm pockets, stratified by smoking status, were enrolled in this double-blind controlled, placebo-controlled trial. Control groups received either placebo chip plus scaling and root planing (SRP) or SRP alone. Test group subjects received active CHX chip or SRP alone (to maintain the blind). Standardized radiographs were taken for quantitative digital subtraction radiography at baseline and 9 months.


RESULTS
At 9 months, 15% of SRP treated subjects experienced loss of bone in 1 or more sites, no subject treated with active chip plus SRP lost bone (P <0.01). At 9 months, significant differences in the change in probing depth and clinical attachment levels favoring the active chip over SRP alone or SRP plus CHX chip were also observed (P <0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
These data indicate that the CHX chip, when used as an adjunct to scaling and root planing, significantly reduces loss of alveolar bone.
Jeffcoat
M K
MK
University of Alabama School of Dentistry, Birmingham 35294-0007, USA. jeffcoat@uab.edu
Palcanis
K G
KG
Weatherford
T W
TW
Reese
M
M
Geurs
N C
NC
Flashner
M
M
D000328:Adult; D016301:Alveolar Bone Loss / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D002710:Chlorhexidine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D006801:Humans; D010518:Periodontitis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011859:Radiography; D013382:Subtraction Technique
D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D002710:Chlorhexidine