Comparison of 1-Periodontal Indices and Cultural Porphyromonas Gingivalis Colony Count in Aggressive Periodontitis Patients Treated by Scaling and Rootplanning with or Without Metronidazole Gel

OBJECTIVE: Systemic antibiotics and locally applied antimicrobial agents have been suggested to enhance clinical parameters. Patients exhibiting aggressive periodontitis in particular benefit from adjunctive antibiotic therapy. The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate the effect of local antibiotic therapy with metronidazole adjunctively to scaling and root planning (SRP) in the treatment of aggressive periodontitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty patients diagnosed with aggressive periodontitis were placed in a spilt mouth design. Microbial specimens were taken from the deepest pocket of the teeth. The sites that had positive results of Porphyromonas gingivalis (P.g) were located randomly to receive SRP treatment in the control group and SRP plus metronidazole gel in the test group. Pocket probing depth (PPD), clinical attachment level (CAL) and bleeding on probing (BOP) parameters and numbers of P.g. colony were taken at baseline, 6 weeks and 12 weeks later. All data were collected and analyzed and tested by Wilcoxon and paired t test. RESULTS: The case group patients had significantly better results in BOP, PPD and the number of P.g colony count reduction in comparison with the control group (p<0.05). According to the measurements of CAL, the statistical difference was non significant (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: In non-surgical periodontal treatment of aggressive periodontits adjunctive metronidazole gel therapy has a better effect on the reduction of porphyromonas gingivalis content of pockets.