Effect of a controlled-release chlorhexidine chip on clinical and microbiological parameters and prostaglandin E2 levels in gingival crevicular fluid.
BACKGROUND
The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of a chlorhexidine chip on crevicular prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) levels and on the clinical and microbiological parameters of periodontitis when used as adjunctive therapy to scaling and root planing (SRP) in patients with chronic periodontitis.


METHODS
This randomized single-blind study was carried out in parallel design. The test group received SRP plus chlorhexidine chip, whereas the control group received SRP alone. Thirty-four subjects, aged 20 to 55 years, with chronic periodontitis were recruited. Clinical indices, microbiological samples, and gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) samples were evaluated at baseline and after 1, 3, and 6 months. Microbiological samples were evaluated under a light microscope. GCF PGE2 levels were determined using radioimmunoassay.


RESULTS
Significant improvements could be found for all clinical variables in both groups over the study period. The mean changes in probing depth obtained by SRP plus chlorhexidine chip were greater than those obtained by the SRP alone group at 3 and 6 months. In the test group, there was also significant gain in clinical attachment level at 6 months. When data were combined from all groups, significant reductions in GCF PGE2 levels and number of microorganisms were noted at all time points. However, in the test group, reduction was greater at 6 months for crevicular PGE2 level and at 3 and 6 months for proportions of spirochetes.


CONCLUSIONS
Based on the findings of this study, the chlorhexidine chip reduced GCF PGE2 levels and had positive effects on clinical parameters and subgingival flora when used as adjunctive therapy to SRP in patients with chronic periodontitis.
Mizrak
Tansel
T
Department of Periodontology, Faculty of Dentistry, Dicle University, Diyarbakir, Turkey.
Güncü
Güliz N
GN
Caglayan
Feriha
F
Balci
Tansel Ansal
TA
Aktar
Gülseren Samanci
GS
Ipek
Fikret
F
D000328:Adult; D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001421:Bacteria, Anaerobic / Q000187:drug effects*; D002710:Chlorhexidine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D003774:Dental Plaque Index; D012534:Dental Scaling; D015232:Dinoprostone / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D005883:Gingival Crevicular Fluid / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010512:Periodontal Index; D010514:Periodontal Pocket / Q000382:microbiology*; D010518:Periodontitis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric
D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D015232:Dinoprostone; C010882:chlorhexidine gluconate; D002710:Chlorhexidine