Scanning electron microscopy study to evaluate and compare fibrin clot adhesion over the root surface treated with...

Periodontitis is an inflammatory disease caused by a group of specific microorganisms that provoke the destruction of the periodontal ligament and the alveolar bone, along with pocket formation or recession, or both.

The present study aimed to compare the efficacy of tetracycline, doxycycline and minocycline in improving fibrin clot adhesion over manually instrumented periodontally affected root surfaces with the use of scanning electron microscopy (SEM).

A total of 45 single-rooted extracted teeth were sectioned into 45 dentinal blocks and divided into 3 groups: tetracycline (group I); doxycycline (group II); and minocycline (group III). A drop of blood was added over the dentinal blocks, allowed to clot, and later rinsed with phosphatebuffered saline (PBS),1% formaldehyde, and 0.02% glycine. Then, the surfaces were post-fixed in 2.5% glutaraldehyde and dehydrated in a graded ethanol series of 30%, 50%, 75%, 90%, 95%, and 100%. Afterward, the samples were examined under a SEM to assess fibrin clot adhesion and the number of blood cells.

Minocycline demonstrated better fibrin clot adhesion, followed by tetracycline and doxycycline. Statistical significance was observed at ×2,000 magnification (p = 0.021), whereas no significance was noted at ×5,000 magnification.

Dentinal blocks treated with minocycline had a better fibrin network and a greater number of entrapped erythrocytes, which is vital in the early wound-healing process leading to the formation of connective tissue attachment.