Effect of chlorhexidine chip in the treatment of chronic periodontitis

The evaluation of clinical and specific microbiological changes associated with chlorhexidine chip in the chronic periodontitis patients.

A total of 30 chronic periodontitis patients (aged 20-65 years) having pocket depth of ≥5 mm in molar teeth were selected and randomly divided into following treatment groups: Group 1 - Scaling and root planning (SRP), Group 2 - SRP along with chlorhexidine chip and Group 3 - Only chlorhexidine chip. The clinical and microbial parameters were recorded at baseline and 1 and 3 months post-treatment as above. Benzoyl-DL-arginine-naphthylamide (BANA) chair side test was used for estimation of specific microbiota.

Gingival index, probing pocket depth and clinical attachment level scores in selected teeth within the groups at different time intervals was significantly (P < 0.001) different. Although, the comparison between groups for specific microbiota in selected sites at different intervals was not statistically significant at baseline and 1 month, it reached statistical significance at 3(rd) month post-treatment. Although significant reductions in percentage of BANA positive sites were observed in all three groups, the Group 2 had significantly greater percentage of BANA negative sites.

Local drug delivery using chlorhexidine chip enhances the benefit of SRP in the treatment of chronic periodontitis.