Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “Root Planing”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 343 records · Page 19Linked to original sources

The effect of tetracycline and/or scaling on human periodontal disease.

The objective of this study was to test the efficacy of scaling and root planing with or without adjunctive tetracycline therapy in the treatment of periodonitis in humans. The presence of plaque, gingival inflammation, probing depths and attachment levels was assessed for all teeth in 12 patients with chronic, advanced periodontitis. After an initial examination all patients were given detailed oral hygiene instructions. The teeth in one-half of each arch were then scaled and root planed. The teeth in the contralateral half were not treated. Six patients were given tetracycline (1 gm/day) during the first and second weeks and the seventh and eighth weeks of the trial. The study thus included four different treatment groups: 1) no treatment, 2) scaling and root planing alone, 3) tetracycline administration alone, and 4) scaling and root planing combined with tetracycline administration. All patients were reexamined at 8 and 25 weeks subsequent to the initiation of therapy. Both PlI and GI scores decreased significantly in all groups. The GI scores were significantly lower in the scaled and root planed areas as compared to the contralateral sides at both the 8- and 25-week examinations. The PlI score was lower in the scaled and root planed areas only at the 25-week interval. The gingival probing depths were reduced in all groups. A significantly greater decrease in probing depth, however, was noted in scaled and root planed areas. There was a trend to gain of attachment in the treated areas but the magnitude of the gain was very small. The findings of the trail also revealed that the administration of tetracycline had only a minor effect on the parameters examined.

Adult↗

Microbiological response to mechanical treatment in combination with adjunctive therapy. A review of the literature.

The recognition of the microbial origin and the specificity of periodontal infections has resulted in the development of several adjunctive therapies (antibiotics and/or antiseptics) to scaling and root planing in the treatment of chronic adult periodontitis. This article aims to review the "additional" effect of a subgingival irrigation with chlorhexidine, or a local or systemic application of tetracycline or metronidazole, performed in combination with a single course of scaling and root planing in patients with chronic adult periodontitis. All treatment modalities are compared with scaling and root planing, based on their impact on: the probing depth (PD); total number of colony forming units per ml (CFU/ml); the proportions and/or the detection-frequency of Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans, Porphyromonas gingivalis, and Prevotella intermedia; and/or on the percentages of cocci, spirochetes, motile, and other micro-organisms on dark field microscopy examination. All treatment modalities, including scaling and root planing without additional chemical therapy, resulted in significant reductions in the probing depth and the proportions of periodontopathogens, at least during the first 8 weeks post-therapy. However in comparison to a single course of scaling and root planing, the supplementary effect of adjunctive therapies seems to be limited. In general, only the irrigation with chlorhexidine 2%, the local application of minocycline, and the systemic use of metronidazole (in case of large proportions of spirochetes) or doxycycline (in case of large proportions of A. actinomycetemcomitans) seem to result in a prolonged supplementary effect when compared to scaling and root planing. Therefore, the use of antibiotics on a routine basis, especially in a systemic way, in the treatment of chronic adult periodontitis, can no longer be advocated, considering the increasing danger for the development of microbial resistance.

Administration, Oral↗

Topically applied minocycline microspheres: why it works.

This article presents the results of a single-arm, open-label, multicenter clinical trial of the topical use of sustained-release minocycline hydrochloride (HCl) microspheres as an adjunct to scaling and root planing. The objective of this study was to evaluate the long-term safety and efficacy of the subgingival application of resorbable minocycline microspheres as an adjunct to scaling and root planing in the treatment of chronic periodontitis. The primary outcome measures were the reduction in probing pocket depth at 9- and 12-month evaluations, and the percent of bleeding upon probing. A total of 173 patients with moderate-to-severe chronic periodontitis were enrolled in this multicenter clinical trial. All patients received full-mouth scaling and root planing plus minocycline microspheres in all periodontal pockets that probed > or = 5 mm. All sites treated at baseline and any new sites > or = 5 mm again received minocycline microspheres at 3- and 6-month follow-up appointments with no further scaling and root planing. Significant improvements in all clinical parameters measured were found at all time points (1, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months). The product was found to be well-tolerated by patients, safe, and easy to deliver. Scaling and root planing with the topical application of minocycline microspheres appeared to give better results than would have been expected with scaling and root planing alone.

Absorbable Implants↗

The presence of nicotine on root surfaces of periodontally diseased teeth in smokers.

There is a growing body of scientific evidence to support the concept that the use of tobacco products significantly contributes to the progression of periodontal disease or is detrimental to healing following periodontal therapy. Several studies have shown toxic effects of nicotine on peripheral circulation and the immune response. The purpose of the present study was to identify and compare the quantity of nicotine present on root planed and nonroot planed surfaces of teeth from smokers. Twenty-nine single-rooted teeth from 11 smokers were extracted, brushed clean, and the roots sectioned longitudinally. The respective halves were either left untreated (Group A) or thoroughly root planed (Group B). Pulpal tissue was removed and the individual root sections weighed. Each half was extracted for nicotine using a methylene chloride technique. Quantification was performed using high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) and the sections compared on a nicotine per root weight basis. Results showed a greater amount of nicotine present on non-root planed sections than on treated sections, although some treated specimens revealed small amounts of the substance. These findings suggest that nicotine is present on the root surface but is largely removed by thorough root planing. Its presence is not surprising in light of the recent finding that nicotine and cotinine, the major metabolite of nicotine, are found in gingival crevicular fluid. Recent studies have shown a particularly harmful effect of nicotine on fibroblasts. Its presence on root surfaces may, therefore, impair wound healing and alter the host response in periodontal disease. The use of tobacco products in conjunction with periodontal therapy may interfere with optimal healing and/or lead to further periodontal breakdown.

Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid↗

Effect of a carbon dioxide laser on periodontally involved root surfaces.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this in vitro study was to evaluate the effect of CO2 laser on the periodontally involved root surface, and to compare its efficacy with citric acid, EDTA and hydrogen peroxide in removal of root surface smear layer after root planing. METHODS: The study was conducted on 50 periodontally involved single rooted human teeth with poor prognosis. Immediately after extraction the teeth were scaled and root planed with Gracey curets; 50 specimens were obtained from the proximal side of each tooth which were assigned randomly to 1 of the 4 groups. Group A (35 specimens) was divided into 7 subgroups of 5 specimens each and irradiated with CO2 laser using a defocused mode at 3-watt power for 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8, 1.0, 1.2, or 1.4 seconds, respectively. Groups B, C, and D (5 specimens each) were treated with 6% hydrogen peroxide, EDTA solution (pH 7.4), or saturated citric acid solution (pH 1), respectively for 3 minutes. The specimens were then fixed and scanned using SEM. RESULTS: It was observed that surface smear layer was present on root surfaces of teeth that were root planed; the CO2 laser was not able to remove the smear layer on the sites that were irradiated for 0.2, 0.4 or 0.6 seconds at 3W power. Irradiation time of 0.8 seconds at 3W power was able to remove the smear layer, but the dentinal tubules were partially exposed. The surface irradiated for 1 second showed a flat appearance with many clear orifice of dentinal tubules. No change in diameter of exposed dentinal tubules was observed and their diameter was nearly equal that of normal dentinal tubules. Irradiation time of 1.2 and 1.4 seconds produced surface charring and carbonization and was totally ineffective in exposing the dentinal tubules; 6% hydrogen peroxide did not remove the smear layer completely and the exposed dentinal tubules orifice was not clear. EDTA (pH 7.4) and citric acid (pH 1) were found to be effective in removing the smear layer and exposing the dentinal tubules, which showed funnel shaped widening. CONCLUSIONS: Surface smear layer was present on root surfaces of teeth that were root planed. Laser irradiation of 1 second at 3W completely removed the smear layer with minimal change in the diameter of the dentinal tubules. EDTA and citric acid were also effective in removing smear layer, but the exposed dentinal tubules showed funnel-shaped widening.

Anti-Infective Agents, Local↗

A clinical and microbiological evaluation of systemic and local metronidazole delivery in adult periodontitis patients.

The present study describes results on selected clinical and microbiological parameters obtained by treatment with local (Elyzol) and systemic (Flagyl) use of metronidazole alone and/or mechanical subgingival debridement in adult periodontitis. Patients were randomly divided into local and systemic treatment groups each comprising 5 individuals in each of whom 4 sites (one site/ quadrant) with a probing depth of > or = 5 mm were selected and treated with separate treatment modalities. The overall treatment design provided 6 different test groups. Groups of quadrants received: (1) scaling and root planing; (2) local metronidazole treatment; (3) systemic metronidazole treatment; (4) local metronidazole combined with scaling and root planing; (5) systemic metronidazole combined with scaling and root planing; (6) no treatment. The microbiological and clinical effects of treatment modalities were monitored over a period of 42 days. All treatments resulted in clinical improvements (gingivitis, probing pocket depth, attachment level) except for the untreated group. Parallel to the clinical changes, all treatments reduced the number of total bacteria and proportions of obligately anaerobic microorganisms. Although both of the combined treatment groups responded to therapy with better resolution of infection that the pure mechanical and pure metronidazole treatments, local metronidazole in combination with scaling and root planing seems to be more effective in terms of producing both clinical and microbial improvements.

Administration, Oral↗

Scanning electron microscope evaluation of wear of stainless steel and high carbon steel curettes.

Root planing depends on quality instrument cutting edges. The sharpness and wear of stainless steel (SS) and high carbon steel (HCS) dental curettes were compared before and after standardized root planing procedures. Forty working edges of dental curettes, 20 of each alloy, were examined by scanning electron microscope (SEM) prior to any root planing (control), after 15 strokes, and after 45 strokes. Root planing was carried out on freshly extracted, single-rooted teeth, mounted in natural positions in mannikin jaws. Working areas measuring 3 x 5 mm were marked on root surfaces previously exposed by periodontitis. Each working edge was examined at points 1 mm and 2 mm from the tip under the same magnification (x 240). Microscopic observations showed that edge deformation increased from the control (factory sharpened) group, to the "15 stroke" group, and from the "15" to the "45 stroke" group, in both SS and HCS curettes. SS curettes, however, demonstrated significantly more wear than HCS curettes. After 45 strokes, only 5% of the SS curettes were sharp, compared to 20% of the HCS curettes. While 65% of the SS curettes showed severe edge deformation by the end of the study, only 20% of the HCS curettes were severely deformed (P less than 0.01). The results indicate that HCS curettes are more resistant to wear than SS curettes. Further study is indicated to evaluate the relationship between actual bevel dimensions and root planing effectiveness.

Alloys↗

A six-month comparison of three periodontal local antimicrobial therapies in persistent periodontal pockets.

BACKGROUND: Currently, several local antimicrobial delivery systems are available to periodontists. The aim of this 6-month follow-up parallel study was to evaluate the efficacy of three commercially available local delivery systems as adjuncts to scaling and root planing in the treatment of sites with persistent periodontal lesions. METHODS: Seventy-nine patients with 4 pockets > or = 5 mm and bleeding on probing and/or suppuration were randomized into 4 treatment groups which included: scaling and root planing alone (S) (20 patients), or in conjunction with the application of 25% tetracycline fibers (S+Tet) (19 patients), or 2% minocycline gel (S+Min) (21 patients), or 25% metronidazole gel (S+Met) (19 patients). Clinical measurements were taken at baseline, 6 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months after antimicrobial application. Treatments were applied using the distributors' recommended protocols. RESULTS: All 4 therapies resulted in significant improvements from baseline in probing depth, attachment level, bleeding on probing, and the Modified Gingival Index (MGI) scores. The improvements in clinical parameters were greater in all 3 adjunctive treatment groups than scaling and root planing alone. The mean probing depth reductions at 6 months were: scaling + tetracycline = 1.38 mm; scaling + metronidazole = 0.93 mm; scaling + minocycline = 1.10 mm; and scaling alone = 0.71 mm. The probing depth reduction at all time points was significantly greater in the scaling plus tetracycline fiber group than the scaling and root planing alone group (P<0.01). There was also a significant improvement for scaling plus tetracycline fiber application over scaling and metronidazole at both 6 weeks and 3 months, although this did not remain significant at the 6-month visit. While the frequency of sites with suppuration was markedly reduced following all antimicrobial treatments, the most effective reductions were seen in the scaling plus tetracycline fiber group, followed by the minocycline group. CONCLUSIONS: Although all 3 locally applied antimicrobial systems seem to offer some benefit over scaling and root planing alone, a treatment regimen of scaling and root planing plus tetracycline fiber placement gave the greatest reduction in probing depth over the 6 months after treatment.

Adult↗

A study of attached and oriented human periodontal ligament cells to periodontally diseased cementum and dentin after demineralizing with neutral and low pH etching solution.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to evaluate quantitatively the migrated, attached, and oriented human periodontal ligament cells (HPLC) to periodontally diseased cementum and dentin after demineralization with low and neutral pH etching solution. METHODS: Human teeth, extracted due to periodontal diseases, were scaled and root planed so that cementum remained on one longitudinal half of the root and dentin was exposed on the other half. Forty root slices of 200 microm thickness, obtained from the mid-third of these roots, were divided into four groups: group 1, demineralized with a saturated solution of citric acid (pH 1.20); group 2, with 24% EDTA (pH 7.04); group 3, with tetracycline HCl 100 mg/ml (pH 2.00); and group 4, only scaled and root planed (control). Root slices were placed over the confluent HPLC in 35 mm culture dishes and incubated. Phase contrast microscopic photographs of attached and oriented refractile HPLC to root surfaces were taken at days 1, 3, and 7. Quantitative analysis of attached and oriented HPLC from these photographs was done using special software. RESULTS: The results showed no significant difference in the attachment and orientation index of HPLC to cementum compared to dentin in any method of demineralization at each time point (P >0.05), although there was a significantly higher cell attachment and orientation index to demineralized dentin with EDTA and citric acid than to non-etched dentin and to all 3 demineralized cementum surfaces compared to non-etched cementum (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: EDTA and citric acid demineralization may enhance HPLC attachment and orientation to the root surface, and it is not always necessary to remove excessive cementum when the demineralizing procedure is used.

Cell Adhesion↗

Local antimicrobial therapies in periodontal disease.

Periodontal therapy has the primary aim of halting periodontal disease progression. Clinical trials over the years have indicated that meticulous scaling and root planing in conjunction with a patient's proper plaque control can arrest periodontitis, but this therapy is not always completely effective and thus adjunctive therapies need to be considered. Local delivery of antibacterial agents into periodontal pockets has been extensively developed and investigated since the late 1970s and many systems have been designed to maintain high levels of antimicrobial agents in the crevicular fluid with minimal systemic uptake. More recently subgingival antimicrobial delivery systems have become available to the practising periodontist for clinical use. These systems, employ different antimicrobial agents but also different delivery systems which influence the concentration of available drug over time. The dental profession is confused by the wide variety of available slow release subgingival antimicrobial devices on the market and clearly comparative independent assessment of these therapies is needed. This review will summarise the findings of a comparative study on three commonly available periodontal local delivery antimicrobial systems on sites with previously unsuccessful mechanical therapy. The slow release devices studied adjunctively with root planing were: Actisite, Dentomycin and Elyzol, compared to root planing alone. Substantivity of an antimicrobial system is the ability of the system to maintain an effective concentration of drug over time which may be the most significant difference between the three delivery systems rather than the type of antimicrobial drug used. Although all three locally applied antimicrobial systems seem to offer some benefit over scaling and root planing alone, a treatment regime of scaling and root planing plus tetracycline fibre placement gave the greatest reduction in probing pocket depth over the six months after treatment.

Administration, Topical↗

Evaluation of periodontal treatments using controlled-release tetracycline fibers: maintenance response.

The purpose of this investigation was to examine periodontal disease recurrence from 3 to 12 months following various treatments with scaling and root planing and controlled-release tetracycline fibers. One-hundred-twenty-two (122) adult volunteers with at least one bleeding pocket > or = 5 mm in each of four quadrants were enrolled in this study. One or two such sites in each quadrant were selected as test sites. Quadrants were randomly assigned to receive one of four treatments: scaling and root planing (S); scaling and root planing plus tetracycline fiber for 10 days (SF); fiber therapy alone for 10 days (F); or fiber therapy alone for 20 days (FF). After treatment, no supportive care was provided during the 12-month study period. Probing depth (PD), attachment loss (AL), plaque, and bleeding on probing were measured at baseline, and at 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months after treatment. PD and AL measures were taken at three locations within each site and averaged for each site. Disease recurrence was defined as > or = 1 mm mean attachment loss at a site during the 3- to 12-month period. One-hundred-sixteen (116) subjects completed the study. Sites treated with SF experienced significantly (P < 0.05) less disease recurrence (4%) than S, F, or FF (9%, 10%, and 12%, respectively). Results of this study suggest that, compared to S, F, or FF, scaling and root planing in conjunction with tetracycline fiber therapy for 10 days can significantly reduce disease recurrence 3 to 12 months following treatment in the absence of supportive care.

Adult↗

"Critical probing depths" in periodontal therapy.

The present investigation was carried out on 15 individuals who were referred for treatment of moderately advanced periodontal disease. All patients were first subjected to a Baseline examination comprising assessment of oral hygiene and gingival conditions, probing depths and attachment levels. Following case presentation and instructions in oral hygiene measures, the patients were given periodontal treatment utilizing a split mouth design. In one side of the jaw scaling and root planing were performed in conjunction with a modified Widman flap procedure while in the contralateral jaw quadrants the treatment was restricted to scaling and root planing only. The period from initial treatment to 6 months after treatment was considered to be the healing phase and from 6-24 months after treatment the maintenance phase. During the healing phase the patients were recalled for professional tooth cleaning once every 2 weeks. During the maintenance phase the interval between the recall appointments was extended to 3 months. Reexaminations were carried out 6, 12 and 24 months after the completion of active treatment. The results revealed that treatment resulted in loss of clinical attachment in sites with initially shallow pockets, while sites with initially deep pockets gained clinical attachment. With the use of regression analysis "critical probing depths" were calculated for the two methods of treatment used. It was found that the critical probing depth value for scaling and root planing was significantly smaller than the corresponding value for scaling and root planing used in combination with modified Widman flap surgery (2.9 vs 4.2 mm). In addition, the surgical modality of therapy resulted in more attachment loss than the non-surgical approach when used in sites with initially shallow pockets. On the other hand, in sites with initial probing depths above the critical probing depth value more gain of clinical attachment occurred following Widman flap surgery than following scaling and root planing. The data obtained from the reexaminations 12 and 24 months after active treatment demonstrated that the probing depths and the attachment levels obtained following active therapy and healing were maintained more or less unchanged during a maintenance care period which involved careful prophylaxis once every 3 months. However, the data also disclosed that the level of oral hygiene maintained by the patients during healing and maintenance was more critical for the resulting probing depths and attachment levels than the mode of initial therapy used.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Adult↗

Periodontal therapy in young adults with severe generalized periodontitis.

This study evaluated the effect of periodontal therapy on clinical and microbiological parameters in 23 subjects with severe generalized early onset periodontitis. Therapy consisted of oral hygiene instruction and root planing and scaling, followed 3 months later by open flap debridement. Subjects were monitored for both clinical measures and levels of Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans and Porphyromas gingivalis as identified by indirect immunofluoresence. Clinical and microbiological evaluations were done at the start of the study, 3 months after the completion of root planing and scaling and 3 months after open flap debridement. Mean probing depth was reduced by both root planing and scaling and open flap debridement and the level of reduction demonstrated by both phases of therapy was similar to reductions found in studies that utilized subjects with chronic adult periodontitis. In contrast, reductions in attachment level due to the two phases of therapy, demonstrated in previous studies of subjects with adult periodontitis were not found in the young adult subjects with severe periodontal disease utilized in this study. Levels of A. actinomycetemcomitans were not significantly affected by root planing and scaling, but were reduced by open flap debridement. P. gingivalis was virtually eliminated by root planing and scaling, demonstrating that the two bacterial types respond differently to periodontal therapy. These changes in microbiological parameters were similar to those found in studies of localized juvenile periodontitis subjects, where surgery or antibiotics have been shown to be necessary to reduce levels of A. actinomycetemcomitans.

Adolescent↗

Indications and rationale for non-surgical periodontal therapy.

Non-surgical periodontal therapy, including patient motivation, instruction in oral hygiene and thorough scaling and root planing has been shown to be an acceptable and effective treatment for chronic destructive periodontitis. Even in deep periodontal pockets clinical attachment levels may be maintained by scaling and root planing alone provided that effective plaque control is assured by recall appointments at regular intervals. Even if personal oral hygiene procedures do not reach the required standard of perfection, non-surgical periodontal therapy may significantly delay the loss of periodontal attachment. Scaling and root planing are best performed with hand instruments. Ultrasonic devices save some time but leave rough root surfaces which are highly susceptible to the accumulation of further subgingival plaque. The intervals at which scaling and root planing have to be performed in order to alter successfully the pathogenic subgingival flora and to maintain a flora consistent with periodontal health have not been conclusively established. The limitations of non-surgical periodontal therapy lie within the operator's skill at gaining access to all root surfaces in furcations and deep periodontal pockets. Non-surgical periodontal therapy may have to extend over long time periods. For this reason, limited flap surgery in order to gain access to root surfaces, which would otherwise be too time-consuming to treat with scaling and root planing alone, might still be valuable.

Bacteria↗

Histological evaluation of the use of diode laser as an adjunct to traditional periodontal treatment.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to describe in vivo effects of scaling and root planing associated with 980-nm diode laser irradiation on periodontally diseased root surfaces. BACKGROUND DATA: Rapid advances in the development of laser technologies used in dental offices demand careful evaluation of the respective histopathologic effects of each new system. There have been no reports of scaling and root planing associated with 980-nm diode laser effects on root surfaces after in vivo application. METHODS: Single rooted teeth and multiple rooted teeth considered for extraction due to severe periodontal disease were included in the study. For light microscopic investigation, a resin-embedding technique was used to cut the undecalcified teeth into 30-microm-thick cross-sections and stained. The following parameters were recorded by a blind examiner: remaining debris, root surface morphology, and thermal side effects. RESULTS: Root surfaces instrumented with hand instruments and diode laser in vivo did not show detectable surface alterations. There were no signs of thermal side effects in any of the teeth treated. CONCLUSION: The present in vivo study showed that associated therapy was suitable for non-surgical periodontal treatment. The results suggest that the diode laser may be routinely used as an adjunct to scaling and root planing without damage to the cementum tissue.

Dental Scaling↗

A preliminary study on the effects of the Nd:YAG laser on root surfaces and subgingival microflora in vivo.

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of root preparation using the pulsed Nd:YAG laser, either alone or in combination with manual instrumentation. Study specimens consisting of 18 teeth with associated periodontal pockets from 8 different patients were treated as follows: 5 specimens were root planed with curets followed by laser exposure for 3 minutes using energy settings of 3.0 W at 20 pps; 2 specimens were root planed and then laser treated for 3 minutes using settings of 2.25 W and 20 pps; 4 specimens were treated by laser for 1 minute at settings of 1.75 W and 20 pps followed by root planing; 4 specimens were treated by laser only for 1 minute using settings of 1.75 W and 20 pps; and the remaining 3 teeth served as untreated controls. Both prior to and after completion of the laser and root planing treatments, microbiological samples were obtained from the treated pockets and submitted to a commercial laboratory for analysis of levels of Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans, Porphyromonas gingivalis, and Prevotella intermedia. With the exception of two 7-day specimens, all others were extracted immediately post-therapy and processed for SEM examination. All treated specimens, regardless of treatment sequence, exhibited some degree of laser-induced root surface alteration. Notably, laser-treated calculus deposits were free of their characteristic surface layer of microbial plaque. Microbial sampling indicated a post-therapy reduction in levels of all 3 putative microbial pathogens compared to pre-treatment samples and control specimens. However, SEM examination revealed residual deposits of plaque and calculus in all treatment groups.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗

Comparative SEM study on the effect of acid etching with tetracycline HCl or citric acid on instrumented periodontally-involved human root surfaces.

This study compared the surface characteristics of periodontally diseased single-rooted human teeth extracted after treatment with either tetracycline HCl or citric acid solutions. The study group was comprised of 30 teeth from 22 patients with advanced periodontal disease extracted before the start of periodontal therapy. Diseased surfaces were identified, outlined, and root planed by hand curet or finishing bur. The teeth were sectioned and solutions of tetracycline HCl or citric acid (pH 1) were applied to the surfaces with cotton pellets for 5 minutes. Extracted teeth were processed and root surface samples then examined by scanning electron microscope. The surfaces of both acid-treated sets of specimens differed considerably from specimens treated with root planing alone, regardless of root planing method. Acid-treated specimens exhibited dentinal tubules exposed by the removal of the smear layer, surfaces devoid of the debris normally present in root planed-only specimens, and the dense network of collagen fibers that make up the dentin structure. Although differences were seen in surface depressions and fiber-like structures among some specimens, the tetracycline HCl and citric acid solutions produced comparable morphologic characteristics.

Acid Etching, Dental↗

The effect of metronidazole on human periodontal disease. A clinical and bacteriological study.

Fifteen female subjects undergoing treatment for nonspecific vaginitis with metronidazole 250 mg q.i.d. for 7 days were studied. Clinical and microbiological evaluations were carried out initially and at 2 and 4 weeks. The following parameters were measured in two quadrants: plaque index, sulcular bleeding index, pocket depth, attachment level and amount of gingival fluid. Dark field microscopy was used to quantitate the plaque constituents. One quadrant was subjected to root planing at the initial visit; the other quadrant received no therapy. No oral hygiene instructions were given. All the clinical parameters were significantly reduced in all areas. Gingival fluid, sulcular bleeding index and pocket depth showed greater improvement in the root-planed quadrant compared to the nonroot-planed quadrant. Dark field microscopy showed decreases in fusiforms, curved rods and spirochetes in all areas with a concomitant increase in cocci. The root-planed quadrant showed no significant differences in microbiological aspects when compared to the nonplaned quadrant. Clinically, metronidazole therapy resulted in improvement of periodontal status with some additional but small enhancement due to root planing. Microbiologically, metronidazole dramatically changed the quality of plaque with no supplemental effect when root planing was added.

Adult↗