title: Clinical and microbiological effects of adjunctive, locally delivered chlorhexidine on patients with chronic periodontitis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The impact of a locally delivered chlorhexidine chip (Periochip) on clinical and microbiological parameters of chronic periodontitis requires further documentation. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of the chip as an adjunct to mechanical treatment of chronic periodontitis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifty patients with chronic periodontitis were randomized into two groups. The test group (n = 25) received scaling and root planing and adjunctive Periochip in four pockets. The control group (n = 25) received scaling and root planing only. Clinical indices (probing depth, probing attachment level, bleeding on probing) were assessed at baseline, three and six months. Subgingival samples were analyzed at baseline, three weeks, three and six months after treatment for levels of eight bacterial species using "checkerboard" DNA-DNA hybridization.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The targeted difference of probing depth of 2 mm between groups was not observed. Both treatments resulted in improvement of clinical indices and non-statistically significant differences were observed between the two groups at any time point, with the exception of bleeding on probing at three months (ANOVA, p < 0.05). No major differences were observed concerning levels of important periodontal pathogens (Mann-Whitney test, p < or = 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In this small, six-month, phase 4 trial, no differences in mean probing depth reduction or "red-complex" periodontal pathogens were detected for patients with chronic periodontitis treated with adjunctive chlorhexidine chip (single administration) as compared to patients treated with scaling and root planing alone.
authors.affiliation: Department of Preventive Dentistry, Periodontology and Implant Biology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece. dimisak@med.auth.gr
authors.forename: Dimitra
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Sakellari
authors.forename: Sakellari
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Dimitra
authors.forename: Ioannis
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Ioannidis
authors.forename: Ioannidis
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Ioannis
authors.forename: Malama
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Antoniadou
authors.forename: Antoniadou
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Malama
authors.forename: Theodora
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Slini
authors.forename: Slini
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Theodora
authors.forename: Antonis
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Konstantinidis
authors.forename: Konstantinidis
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Antonis
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002710:Chlorhexidine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D055113:Chronic Periodontitis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis; D003773:Dental Plaque / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology; D012534:Dental Scaling; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D005260:Female; D006089:Gram-Negative Anaerobic Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010512:Periodontal Index; D010514:Periodontal Pocket / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local; D004269:DNA, Bacterial; D002710:Chlorhexidine