Comparative evaluation of locally delivered probiotic paste and chlorhexidine gel as an adjunct to scaling and root planing in treating chronic periodontitis: A split-mouth randomized clinical trial

INTRODUCTION: The etiological factors of periodontal diseases are the habitation of dysbiotic bacteria, absence of beneficial bacteria, and susceptibility of the host. Irresolute pattern in the periodontal diseases pathogenesis leads to the evolution of novel antimicrobial therapy. OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study is to assess and compare the competency of locally delivered probiotic paste with chlorhexidine gel as a supplement to scaling and root planing (SRP) in chronic periodontitis patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A split-mouth randomized controlled trial was designed on 10 systemically healthy participants having chronic periodontitis at three distinct quadrants with 5–6-mm pocket depth. The sites in each participant were randomly selected for Group A (negative control), Group B (positive control), and Group C (test). In Group A, only SRP, Group B – SRP + chlorhexidine local drug delivery (LDD), Group C – SRP + probiotic LDD were done, respectively. Gingival index (GI) and bleeding index (BI) were determined at baseline, 3(rd), 6(th), and 9(th) weeks, whereas probing pocket depth (PPD), Russell's periodontal index, and clinical attachment level were checked at baseline and after 9 weeks. RESULTS: It shows a significant reduction in GI, BI, PPD, and gain of CAL in probiotic LDD group. CONCLUSION: Nowadays, since microbes are rapidly developing resistance to antibiotics, the development of probiotics is a boon for the treatment of periodontal diseases. Diseases of the periodontium are not restricted to the oral cavity alone but also have strong systemic effects. Hence, probiotics give a natural and promising choice of therapy to establish both good oral and systemic health.