title: Chlorhexidine chip in the treatment of chronic periodontitis - a clinical study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to clinically evaluate the use of biodegradable chlorhexidine chip when used as an adjunct to scaling and root planing (SRP) in the treatment of moderate to severe periodontitis patients. The study also intended to compare the combined therapy (SRP and Chlorhexidine chip) with chlorhexidine chip alone in individuals with periodontitis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifteen patients with three sites having a probing depth of 5-8mm were considered for the study. Sites were numbered 1, 2, 3 randomly. The clinical parameters assessed were the Plaque Index (PI), gingival index (GI), Bleeding on probing (BOP), Clinical attachment level (CAL) and Probing pocket depth (PPD). Following baseline evaluation, on two sites scaling and root planing (SRP) was performed, no treatment was carried out in the third site. Chlorhexidine chips were placed on one site with SRP and another without SRP. A periodontal pack was placed on the site to prevent dislodgement of the CHX chip. Clinical parameters were recorded at baseline, one month and three months. Duration of the study was for three months.
  
  
  METHODS
  T-test and Analysis of variance (ANOVA) has been carried out in the present study.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All three groups presented with an improvement in the clinical parameters compared to baseline. There was no statistically significant difference between the SRP and SRP + CHIP group in all parameters. There was a significant difference when these two groups were compared to the chip alone group. The mean reductions in PPD were 2.8mm (SRP group), 2.6 (SRP+CHIP group), 0.8 (chip alone group) The mean gain in CAL were 2.8mm (SRP group), 2.5 (SRP+CHIP group), 0.7 (chip alone group). Reduction in bleeding on probing were significant for the SRP and SRP +CHIP group but not for the chip alone group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The CHX chip did not provide any clinical benefit beyond that achieved with conventional scaling and rootplaning after a three month period.
authors.affiliation: Senior Lecturer, Department of Periodontology, Farooquia Dental College , Mysore, India .
authors.forename: Sangeetha
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Medaiah
authors.affiliation: Professor, Department of Periodontology, SIBAR Institute of Dental Sciences , Guntur, India .
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Srinivas
authors.affiliation: Professor, Department of Periodontology, Coorg Institute of Dental Sciences , Virajpet, India .
authors.forename: Anil
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Melath
authors.affiliation: Professor, Department of Periodontology, Coorg Institute of Dental Sciences , Virajpet, India .
authors.forename: Suragimath
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Girish
authors.affiliation: Senior Lecturer, Department of Periodontology, SIBAR Institute of Dental Sciences , Guntur, India .
authors.forename: Tejaswin
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Polepalle
authors.affiliation: Lecturer, Department of Periodontology, SIBAR Institute of Dental Sciences , Guntur, India .
authors.forename: Ankineedu Babu
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Dasari
keywords: Chlorhexidine; Local drug delivery; Periodontitis; Scaling and rootplaning