Abstract
The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of local drug delivery on the microbial composition in periodontal pockets and clinical symptoms.
From fifty volunteers, ten subjects were selected according to the following criteria.
1. At least 3 pockets, 4 mm or deeper
2. No history of antibiotic therapy within 6 months
3. Systemically healthy
Hydroxypropylcellulose (HPC) strips containing tetracycline (TC), chlorhexidine (CH) and control were inserted till the bottom of each pocket. The strip made of base material itself without any drugs were used as control. Four weeks after the base examination, the strips were inserted three times in a week, and clinical microbiological changes were studied during 3 weeks. As clinical parameters, probing depth and bleeding on probing were used. The bacterial plaque sample was analyzed using a phase-contrast microscope.
Changes of clinical parameter, reduction of probing depth and bleeding on probing, were observed only in the pockets in which TC administrated. Changes of microbial composition of subgingival plaque were found both in TC and CH administrated pockets. The rate of spirochetes and motile rods were remarkably reducud in these pockets.
