Evaluating the effectiveness of clarithromycin as an adjunct to scaling and root planing: A randomized clinical trial

Administration of systemic antibiotics may implement persuasive treatment effect for chronic periodontitis by intending tissue-invasive bacteria in addition to accustomed nonsurgical periodontal therapy (NSPT).

The aim of this study was to assess the ancillary effects of oral clarithromycin (CLM) along with NSPT for chronic periodontitis.

Thirty periodontitis patients were randomly divided into two equal groups in this double-blind, randomized, parallel group, and active-controlled trial: test group - scaling and root planning (SRP) plus CLM (500 mg thrice daily for 7 days, orally) was given, and control group - only SRP was done. Clinical analysis, such as gingival index (GI), probing depth (PD), and clinical attachment loss (CAL), were taken at baseline, 3 months, and 6-month intervals for both groups. Subgingival plaque samples were cultured for periodontopathic organisms. Immunological parameter C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were estimated.

SPSS version 14 was used for statistical analysis. The intragroup comparison showed a significant reduction in the mean scores of all the parameters from baseline to 6 months. The intergroup comparison showed a statistically significant reduction of PD from baseline to 3 months (P < 0.001). GI, CAL, and CRP levels were also reduced but not statistically significant. The mean colony-forming units (CFU) of Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans (Aa) and Porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg) showed a statistically significant reduction from baseline to 3 months only in the test group (P = 0.042) and (P = 0.046), respectively. There was no statistically significant reduction of Aa and Pg at 6 months.

CLM conceivably accepted as an addendum to NSPT for a shorter period.