title: Local Drug Delivery with Tetracycline Fiber : An Alternative to Surgical Periodontal Therapy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Scaling and root planing is the basic treatment modality for periodontal disease. Mechanical treatment is limited by physical impediments and biochemical considerations. Antimicrobial agents may be used as an adjunct to overcome limitations of mechanical therapy.
  
  
  METHODS
  A case-control study was carried out on 30 patients suffering from chronic periodontitis. In Group A only scaling and root planing was carried out whereas in Group B tetracycline fibers were used along with scaling and root planing.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Tetracycline fibers as an adjunct to scaling and root planing was found to be more effective in reducing inflammation. The number of sites with bleeding on probing were 12 in Group A as compared to four in Group B after 30 days. The mean decrease in probing depth was more in Group B than Group A after 30 and 90 days. General linear model showed that decrease in probing depth was statistically significant with both mechanical therapy as well as adjunctive use of tetracycline fibers.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Local drug delivery with tetracycline fiber is an effective and simple non surgical method to improve periodontal health which can be practiced even by a general dental practitioner.
authors.affiliation: Classified Specialist (Periodontics), Army Dental Center R&R Hosp Delhi Cantt-10.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Panwar
authors.affiliation: Consultant, Command Military Dental Centre (EC), Kolkata.
authors.forename: S H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Gupta
keywords: Bleeding on probing; Mechanical therapy; Probing depth; Tetracycline fibers