Antioxidant therapy as monotherapy or as an adjunct to treatment of periodontal diseases

BACKGROUND: Treatment of periodontal diseases by nonsurgical debridement has been considered as a gold standard procedure. Various other treatment modalities have been tried and tested to treat periodontal diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of antioxidant therapy on the progression of periodontal disease as monotherapy and/or as an adjunct to nonsurgical debridement. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 70 subjects were divided into three groups, i.e. clinically healthy, gingivitis and periodontitis group on the basis of Community Periodontal Index of Treatment Needs score. Gingivitis and periodontitis groups were further subdivided into three subgroups. At the baseline, periodontal attachment loss was recorded and scaling and root planing was performed in two subgroups. 6 mg antioxidant was administered in three divided doses for 2 weeks. Saliva samples were collected at baseline, 15(th) day, 30(th) day and 45(th) day for evaluation of uric acid levels. RESULTS: Uric acid levels were significantly low in patients with more periodontal attachment loss as compared to clinically healthy and gingivitis groups. As the treatment was initiated, significant increase in uric acid levels was observed. CONCLUSION: Rise in salivary antioxidant levels was observed on the administration of antioxidant therapy. Hence, antioxidant therapy can be used as an adjunct to the nonsurgical periodontal therapy.