title: Povidone-iodine may provide small adjunctive benefit to scaling and root planing.
abstract: METHODS
  An electronic search was performed using a priori selection criteria. PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Central Library were searched. Studies were limited to randomized, controlled trials in which povidone-iodine (PVP-I) was used as an adjunct to conventional SRP in the treatment of chronic periodontitis.
  
  
  METHODS
  The authors reviewed evidence supporting the use of PVP-I as an intrasulcular irrigant during SRP in the treatment of chronic periodontitis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Reduction in probing depth was the primary outcome measure.
  
  
  RESULTS
  One hundred eighty-six titles resulted from the search. Thirty-two full-text articles were assessed. Twenty-five articles were excluded. The remaining 7 articles were assessed by 2 independent reviewers. One of these studies could not be included in the meta-analysis because of incomplete data reporting. The use of PVP-I resulted in statistically significant additional pocket depth reduction over that achieved by the standard therapy (scaling and root planing). The magnitude of this difference was 0.28 mm (95% CI: 0.08-0.48). This benefit was sustained at 3 months posttreatment (0.23 mm; 95% CI: -0.03 to 0.48).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The use of PVP-I as an adjunct to SRP resulted in a small additional benefit beyond that achieved with SRP alone.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Health Practice, Division of Periodontology, University of Kentucky College of Dentistry, 800 Rose Street, Lexington, KY 40536-0297, USA. mvthom0@uky.edu
authors.forename: Mark V
authors.initials: MV
authors.lastname: Thomas