Subgingivally applied minocycline microgranules in subjects with chronic periodontitis: A randomized clinical and microbiological trial.

The aim of this study was to evaluate clinical and microbiological effects of subgingival minocycline microgranules when used as an adjunct to scaling and root planing in subjects with Chronic periodontitis. Twenty-six non-smoker volunteers participated in the study. Four opposite sites, clinically standardized, with bleeding on probing (BOP) and pocket depth (PD) ≥ 6 mm were selected. Baseline BOP, PD and Clinical attachment level (CAL) were measured and microbiological samples were collected from the study sites and analyzed using PCR. Porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg) Tannerella forsythia (Tf), Treponema denticola (Td) and Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans (Aa) were detected. One side of the mouth was randomly allocated to the experimental treatment: scaling and root planing plus minocycline microgranules (Test group=T) and the other side of the mouth to scaling and root planing alone (Control group=C). At days 30 and 90, clinical and microbiological examination was repeated. After 30 days BOP was reduced to 81% in C and to 12% in T and at day 90 to 58% in C and to 8% in T (p<0.05). PD was significantly reduced in both groups (C: 4.8mm, T: 4.2mm) favoring T at days 30 and 90 (p<0.05). CAL reduction at day 30 showed no difference between groups. At day 90, CAL reduction was higher in T (p<0.05). At days 30 and 90 Pg, Tf, Td and Aa was reduced in both groups. Pg reduction was significantly greater in group T. At day 90 frequency of sites with Td decreased in T and increased in C (p<0.05). No adverse effect was observed. This study showed that minocycline microgranules adjunct to scaling and root planing resulted in grater reduction of BOP and PD, higher CAL gain, increased probability of Pg suppression and retarded recolonization of Td than root instrumentation alone.