Topical use of a metronidazole gel in the treatment of sites with symptoms of recurring chronic inflammation.
BACKGROUND
Bacterial plaque accumulation at the dentogingival junction and in periodontal pockets is the major etiologic factor in all manifestations of periodontal disease. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether a locally delivered 25% metronidazole gel after scaling and root planing (SRP) would enhance the treatment outcome over SRP alone in periodontal pockets with symptoms of recurring chronic inflammation.


METHODS
Twenty-one maintenance-care patients, 10 men and 11 women, having at least one pair of contralateral anatomically matching proximal tooth surfaces showing probing depth > or = 5 mm and bleeding on probing (BOP), were included in the study. The sites were randomized to be treated with SRP plus 25% metronidazole gel (test sites) or with SRP alone (control sites) in a split-mouth design. Clinical evaluations were performed immediately pretreatment (baseline) and at 3 and 6 months post-treatment.


RESULTS
Both treatments yielded a statistically significant (P = 0.001) reduction in probing depth (1.9 and 1.8 mm), gain of attachment level (1.6 and 1.0 mm), and reduction of BOP (38.1% and 33.3%) for test and control sites, respectively, at 6 months. There was no statistically significant difference between the treatments for any of the clinical parameters.


CONCLUSIONS
This study indicates that a locally applied 25% metronidazole gel does not improve the treatment outcome over SRP alone in sites with recurring chronic inflammation in maintenance-care patients.
Leiknes
Tom
T
Department of Oral Science-Periodontology, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.
Leknes
Knut N
KN
Böe
Olav E
OE
Skavland
Ragnfrid J
RJ
Lie
Tryggve
T
D000287:Administration, Topical; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D012534:Dental Scaling; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005782:Gels; D005884:Gingival Hemorrhage / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008795:Metronidazole / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008875:Middle Aged; D017622:Periodontal Attachment Loss / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000628:therapy; D010514:Periodontal Pocket / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000628:therapy; D010518:Periodontitis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000628:therapy; D012008:Recurrence; D016745:Root Planing; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D005782:Gels; D008795:Metronidazole