Clinical and Microbiological Effects of a Sonic Toothbrush and Mastic Compound Dentifrice on Chronic Periodontitis

Abstract

Mastic is a resinous exudate obtained from the stem and main leaves of Pistacia lentiscus. The aim of the present study was to assess the clinical and microbiological effect of a sonic toothbrush (SB) and a mastic-essential-oil compound dentifrice (MD) on chronic periodontitis, in a randomized control trial. Twenty-two volunteers with chronic periodontitis were assigned in random to the two groups; the experimental group (SB+MD): 11 patients (6 males, 5 females, mean age 63.2 years) and the placebo group (SB+non-MD): 11 patients (4 males, 7 females, mean age 55.5 years). Three sites per each were subjected. At the baseline and at 2 and 4 weeks, clinical measurements were performed using clinical parameters. In addition, subgingival plaque was collected at the baseline and at 4 weeks. A quantitative analysis of Porphyromonas gingivalis, Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, Treponema denticola, Tannerella forsythensis, Prevotella intermedia was carried out using real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) procedures. There was no significant difference between the two groups with regard to the clinical conditions at the base line. A significant decrease of inflammation was noted after using a sonic toothbrush and dentifrice for 2 and 4 weeks in both the mastic group and the placebo. As for swelling, bleeding, and plaque accumulation, the mastic group showed a significant improvement compared to the control (p<0.05). A significant suppression of P. gingivalis and red complex in the ratio against total bacteria cell counts after 4 weeks of treatment were observed only in the mastic group (p<0.01, p<0.05, respectively). This study suggests that a sonic toothbrush and a mastic-essential-oil compound dentifrice may be useful for chronic periodontitis.