Microbiological and Clinical Evaluation of Efficacy of Locally Delivered Tetracycline in Conjunction with Scaling and Root Planning

INTRODUCTION: Chronic periodontitis is an infectious disease which is multifactorial in etiology. The red complex bacteria have an enzyme capable of hydrolyzing the synthetic trypsin substrate, N-benzoyl-DL-arginine-2-napthylamide (BANA). Tetracycline as a bacteriostatic agent is used in the treatment of periodontitis. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate clinically and microbiologically the efficacy of tetracycline fibers in conjunction with scaling and root planning in chronic periodontitis patients. METHODOLOGY: A Split mouth clinical and microbiological randomized control study was done to compare the clinical effects of subgingivally delivered antimicrobial bioabsorbable controlled release 2 mg tetracycline fibers as an adjunct to scaling and root planning on one side and comparing the other side treated only with scaling and root planning only. RESULT: Showed both scaling and root planning and the use of tetracycline an adjunct with scaling and root planning are equally effective. CONCLUSION: It can be concluded that Scaling and root planing (SRP) with or without use of adjunct local drug delivery agent like tetracycline is effective in treating chronic periodontitis.